Japan is set to launch the world's first 'wooden' satellite in September | WPN World People News

A Japanese research team has successfully created the world's first "wooden" artificial satellite, which is scheduled to be launched this September (2024). This small cube satellite, developed jointly by scientists from Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry Co., is expected to be carried into space by a SpaceX rocket.

The experimental satellite, named "LignoSat," measures approximately 10 cm in length and weighs around 1.1 kg. It is primarily made of magnolia wood, with a thickness ranging from 4 to 5.5 mm. The satellite is equipped with solar panels on its exterior and sensors to measure temperature and geomagnetism. It is reported that "LignoSat" will be delivered to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) in June and launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida by a SpaceX rocket to the International Space Station (ISS). Subsequently, "LignoSat" will be released from the Japanese experiment module on the ISS to test its strength and durability in the space environment.

Takao Doi, a distinguished professor at Kyoto University and the project leader, stated that the future goal is to create 100% wooden satellites, including electronic circuit boards. This innovation could help reduce space debris, as wooden materials will completely burn up upon re-entry into the atmosphere, producing only harmless substances like water vapor, thus reducing the environmental burden on Earth.

The development of "LignoSat" began in 2020, using wood that had been tested in space experiments. The satellite's structure employs traditional Japanese techniques, eliminating the need for screws or adhesives. During the six months following the launch, the team will measure the expansion and contraction of the wood, the internal temperature of the satellite, and the impact on electronic equipment, with data being transmitted back to Kyoto University to aid in the development of future wooden satellites.

Doi emphasized that this research helps explore the potential of wood as a sustainable resource and promotes its application in space, potentially leading to the creation of wooden living spaces in space in the future.