Japan, I'm almost always behind you. But this time, I must admit I'm a little bit lost: Researchers from the University of Tokyo have joined forces with the Japan Origami Airplane Association (JOAA) to develop a paper airplane capable of surviving a flight from the International Space Station to earth's surface. What's next? A tentacle monster that actually exists and rapes people?
Today, researchers will start testing an 8-centimeter prototype in a high-speed wind tunnel at the University of Tokyo. Once inside, the origami space shuttle will brave wind speeds of 5,300 m.p.h. and the intense heat that comes with flying at Mach 7 speeds. That's a great start for a paper airplane, but it'll have to do better than that, because the actual space shuttle can reach speeds of Mach 20 upon reentry.
Continue reading 'Japan to launch origami paper plane from International Space Station...wha?' >
