First Wooden Satellite Deployed into Earth’s Orbit
New Delhi: The world’s first wooden satellite, LignoSat, was launched into Earth’s orbit last month, joining four other CubeSats 400 km above the planet. The satellite had previously traveled to the International Space Station aboard a SpaceX Dragon cargo capsule in November of the previous year.
A Unique and Sustainable Innovation
Developed by Kyoto University in collaboration with Sumitomo Forestry, LignoSat is crafted from honoki magnolia wood, with panels measuring 10 cm in length. These panels were assembled using a traditional Japanese wood-joinery technique, eliminating the need for screws or glue. The satellite weighs just 900 grams.
This six-month mission will focus on exploring the potential of wood as an alternative material for space missions. The research will offer valuable insights into how wood compares to the typical materials used in satellites, such as aluminum, titanium, and thermoplastics.
A Step Forward in Space Exploration
LignoSat is equipped with sensors that will monitor how wood responds to space conditions, including strain, temperature shifts, and radiation exposure. As it orbits the Earth, the satellite experiences drastic temperature changes, ranging from -100°C to 100°C every 45 minutes, due to its movement between the dark and sunlit sides of the planet. The satellite will also assess wood’s ability to shield its internal electronics from the geomagnetic field. These findings may pave the way for using wood in future space missions, including exploration of the Moon and Mars.
Takao Doi, an astronaut with Space Shuttle experience and a researcher at Kyoto University specializing in human space activities, shared with Reuters, “Timber, a material we can easily produce ourselves, could allow us to build structures, and ultimately live and work in space permanently.”
Koji Murata, a professor of forest science at Kyoto University, explained that wood is actually more resilient in space than on Earth, since there are no elements like water or oxygen to cause decay or combustion. Additionally, researchers point out that a wooden satellite presents a lower environmental impact once its mission is over, as it is more sustainable and less harmful to the ecosystem.
A Potential Solution to the Space Debris Crisis
As concerns about space debris continue to grow, wooden satellites present a promising solution. Unlike traditional satellites, which leave behind long-lasting aluminium oxide particles upon re-entry, wooden satellites are designed to burn up as they re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere. This natural incineration process minimizes the amount of debris that remains in space, helping to alleviate the growing problem of space junk in the upper atmosphere. This environmentally friendly approach could make wooden satellites a key player in the future of space exploration.