A revolutionary wooden satellite, LignoSat, is set to launch into space in September as part of a groundbreaking project led by Japanese researchers. Constructed from magnolia wood, the tiny satellite measures just 10 centimetres on each side and will be launched on a SpaceX rocket from the Kennedy Space Centre.
The choice of magnolia wood for LignoSat was made after conducting extensive space exposure tests on cherry, birch, and magnolia wood chips. The wood was sourced from Sumitomo Forestry’s company forest and this innovative project aims to reduce space debris as the wooden satellite will completely burn up upon re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere, unlike traditional metal satellites that create harmful debris.
According to Takao Doi, an astronaut and special professor at Kyoto University, non-metal satellites like LignoSat should become more prevalent in the future to address the issue of space debris. If successful, LignoSat could pave the way for a new generation of environmentally friendly satellites that contribute significantly to the fight against space pollution. This project represents a monumental step forward in the development of sustainable satellite technology and highlights the potential benefits of using wood in space missions.
