An inflatable boom for space applications, and a methods of folding and
deploying a boom are disclosed. The boom comprises a membrane having a
substantially tapered cylindrical shape. A wide end of the membrane is
attached to a base, and a narrow end of the membrane is attached to a
mandrel. The method of folding a boom comprises forming a plurality of
ring-shaped folds in the boom membrane. The method of deploying a boom
comprises increasing a gas pressure inside the boom and repeatedly
unfolding the outer-most ring fold increase the length of the boom.
