World’s first wooden satellite built in Japan launched to space

The world’s first wooden satellite, called LignoSat, has arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) aboard a SpaceX Dragon cargo capsule. This tiny Japanese satellite, measuring just 4 inches (10 cm) on each side, could pave the way for more sustainable space technology.

Traditional satellites are made of aluminum, which, when burned up in Earth’s atmosphere, produces harmful aluminum oxides that can affect the planet’s thermal balance and deplete the ozone layer. This environmental concern is growing as the number of satellites in orbit increases, especially with the rise of mega-constellations like SpaceX’s Starlink network.

LignoSat, developed by Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry, uses magnolia wood instead of aluminum, offering a greener alternative that reduces atmospheric pollution upon re-entry. If successful, wooden satellites could potentially replace metal ones in the future, according to retired Japanese astronaut and aerospace engineer Takao Doi.

The wooden cubesat will soon be deployed from the ISS’ Kibo module to test its durability in space. Over the next six months, it will send back data on temperature, strain, and its reaction to space conditions like atomic oxygen and radiation. Researchers, including student scientists, will analyse this data to see how well the wooden structure withstands the harsh space environment.

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Source: Space.com
Image credit: Kyoto University