Scientists have launched the world’s first wooden satellite into space as part of a study on reducing space junk. The device, called LignoSat, is made from timber and will burn up in the atmosphere when it re-enters space, potentially preventing metal particles from damaging the environment and telecommunications.
The 10cm box-like satellite was launched successfully on an unmanned SpaceX rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It will soon arrive at the International Space Station (ISS) to test its strength and durability. Researchers will send data back from the satellite to monitor its performance and determine if it can withstand extreme temperature changes.
The launch aims to reduce space junk, which has become a growing concern for environmentalists and scientists. By using timber instead of metal, LignoSat could make satellites more sustainable. “Satellites that are not made of metal should become mainstream,” said Takao Doi, an astronaut and special professor at Kyoto University.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2024/nov/05/worlds-first-wooden-satellite-launched-into-space