oragami montage header image
Webb will be the largest telescope ever placed in space; 100 times more powerful than Hubble. So big it has to fold origami-style to fit in the rocket and will unfold like a "Transformer" in space.


Webb and Origami

Folding and Unfolding Webb

screenshot of Webb Primary Mirror Origami Pattern

For the James Webb Space Telescope to fit into a rocket, it must fold up. Whether it is the primary mirror or the sunshield, many parts of Webb are designed to deploy or unfold once in space. This origami pattern of the Webb primary mirror highlights the elegant engineering and artistic inspiration behind the telescope.

Webb Mirror Origami Example Front
Webb Mirror Origami Example Back

Download Origami Template


Fold this origami pattern to make your own artistic version of the James Webb Space Telescope primary mirror!

The dark blue are mountain folds, magenta dashed are valley folds. For best results, please use at least a 16” image.


Robert J. Lang (Origami)

Related Webb Content:

Webb Primary Mirror Origami Pattern
In a recent test, NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope fully deployed its primary mirror into the same configuration it will have when in space.