A folding space shelf has a lower backplane and an upper backplane that are connected by one or more hinges, and a pair of top crossbeams and a pair of upper stringers. Each top crossbeam has a first end hinged to an upper portion of the upper backplane and a second end rotatably connected to one of the pair of upper stringers. It further contains a pair of bottom crossbeams and a pair of bottom stringers. Each bottom crossbeam has a first end hinged to a lower portion of the lower backplane and a second end rotatably connected to one of the pair of bottom stringers. The folding space shelf also contains a pair of middle stringers, each having a first end connected to one of the pair of upper stringers and a second end hinged to one of the pair of the bottom stringers.