The International Space Flight Center and researchers from the University of Tokyo have teamed up with members of the Japan Origami Airplane Association to develop a paper aircraft capable of surviving the flight from its base to the surface of the earth. Yes, you heard and read the news correctly, and the prototype will be 8 centimeters (3.1 in) long and weigh about 30 grams. Researchers began testing the strength and heat resistance a few days ago in an ultra-high-speed wind tunnel at the University of Tokyo’s Okashiwa campus.

Upon Dave Rubin, our weekly columnist from Comic Meets Gadgets, learning about Microsoft’s new Origami Project, he said: Microsoft is about to unviel a new product called, “Origami”, that will be part Blackberry, part web browser, part music player, and part video game console. It also will fold into the shape of a bird. That more »