As　a　space　deployable　structure,　the　space　masts　are　widely　used　in　the　aerospace　field.　In　the　article,　a　new　shape　memory　polymer　(SMP)　mast　structure　was　designed　and　the　compression　folding　behaviours　of　the　SMP　mast　was　investigated.　The　mast　can　automatic　deployment　due　to　the　shape　recovery　characteristics　of　SMPs.　The　thermodynamic　model　of　SMPs　were　realized　by　the　finite　element　method.　The　numerical　simulation　of　the　fold　and　deployment　process　of　the　SMP　mast　were　carried　out,　and　the　geometric　parameters　(wall　thickness)　and　the　influence　of　temperature　on　the　folding　performance　of　the　mast　were　also　investigated.　The　results　contribute　to　the　design　and　application　of　novel　SMP　mast.　©　Published　under　licence　by　IOP　Publishing　Ltd.