Japan successfully launched the world's first wooden satellite into space.

In an experiment to test the durability of the material, the world's first wooden satellite prototype developed by Japanese researchers was successfully launched into space via a SpaceX rocket on November 5. The palm-sized wooden satellite, named "LingoSat", derived from the Latin word for wood, was the work of researchers from Kyoto University in collaboration with Sumitomo Forestry after many years of research. This success could mark a turning point in the use of wood to create satellites, or even spacecraft in the future.

Specifically, the wooden satellite was launched to the International Space Station (ISS) on a SpaceX mission, and then sent into orbit 400km (250 miles) above Earth to test its ability to operate in space conditions. LignoSat was completed as a cube, each side 10cm long, and protected inside a special container prepared by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.

During the flight, data from the LignoSat satellite is continuously transmitted back to Earth. Thanks to that, developers can identify and check for signs of anomalies, as well as assess the resilience of this special satellite.

The two main reasons for sending a wooden satellite into space are, first, to test the durability of wood when exposed to the harsh conditions of space. If the results are positive, researchers will be approved to build wooden structures for future space missions.

Second, wooden satellites reduce their environmental impact at the end of their life. Decommissioned satellites must re-enter the atmosphere to avoid becoming space junk. Metal satellites produce aluminum oxide when they re-enter the atmosphere, while wooden satellites simply burn up and disappear. Given the large number of satellites orbiting the Earth, wooden satellites could significantly reduce space junk.

"Wood is a series of friendly materials that we can produce easily. If wood proves to be effective, people can completely consider building houses, living and working long-term in space, " said Mr. Takao Doi, an astronaut who flew on the space shuttle and is now a researcher on space activities at Kyoto University .

This success marks the first step in a 50-year plan by Japanese scientists to plant trees and build wooden houses and space stations on the Moon and even Mars. When discussing the feasibility of wooden satellites, Kyoto University forestry science professor Koji Murata said, " Airplanes in the early 1900s were made of wood. So wooden satellites are also entirely feasible ."

Lesley Montoya

Update 09 December 2024