Japan has successfully launched the world’s first wooden satellite, LignoSat, into space in an attempt to prove that wood can be used as a space-grade material. The satellite, designed by researchers at Kyoto University, is made from honoki, a type of magnolia tree traditionally used to make sword sheaths.
The team conducted a 10-month experiment aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and found that honoki was the most suitable timber for space applications. They then built LignoSat using traditional Japanese crafts techniques without screws or glue.
LignoSat will orbit the Earth for six months, measuring how wood endures extreme temperatures and its ability to reduce impact from space radiation on semiconductors. The satellite’s success could pave the way for future use of wood in space exploration, potentially reducing pollution and creating more durable satellites.
The researchers believe that using wood instead of metal could have benefits for space travel, as it burns up with less pollution when de-orbited and is less prone to rotting due to lack of moisture. The launch marks a new frontier for the timber industry, which could be invigorated by expansion into space exploration.
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/worlds-first-wooden-satellite-launched-into-space/a-70691359