Using a folded antenna design, researchers have succeeded in helping CubeSats overcome their typically limited data transmission rates. The design, known as the Origami Antenna, increases to 25 times of its stored size on board the tiny satellite. When stored, the 64-gram antenna is 10x10x6 centimetres. Its deployed size creates a surface that is 50x50 centimetres.

Researchers at the Institute of Science Tokyo have found that the antenna not only supports transmissions at higher rates but strengthens signals by focusing the transmissions into a narrow beam. The antenna transmits at a frequency of 5.8 GHz and has a gain of 18 dBi.

The antenna was deployed on the 23rd of May on Science Tokyo's OrigamiSat-2 CubeSat, which was launched in late April.

The researchers' next task challenge will be a larger foldable antenna to be installed on larger satellites conducting observations of Earth.