The world’s first wooden satellite, LignoSat, was launched into space as part of an experiment to test the potential of wood in future space exploration. Developed by Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry, the satellite will be sent to the International Space Station via SpaceX, where it will be released into orbit around 400 kilometers above Earth.
LignoSat, named after the Latin word for “wood,” is made from honoki, a type of magnolia tree. It is built using traditional Japanese craftsmanship without screws or glue. The satellite will remain in orbit for six months, where it will test how wood withstands space’s extreme temperatures and radiation. The research aims to demonstrate that wood, a renewable material, could eventually replace some metals in spacecraft and support the construction of habitats on the Moon or Mars.
Experts believe wood’s durability in space could offer environmental benefits, as it burns cleanly during re-entry, unlike metal satellites that release harmful particles. While the satellite is not entirely wooden, the experiment could mark a step forward in sustainable space exploration and timber industry applications.
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