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-BK7fBabgdD.png "The world’s first wooden satellite made from wood and named LignoSat, developed by scientists at Kyoto University and logging company Sumitomo Forestry, is shown during a press conference at Kyoto University in Kyoto on May 28, 2024")
Japanese researchers have developed the world’s first wooden satellite, set to be launched on a SpaceX rocket in September.
The tiny cuboid craft, each side measuring just 10 centimetres (four inches), is the result of a collaboration between Kyoto University scientists and logging company Sumitomo Forestry.
“Data will be sent from the satellite to researchers who can check for signs of strain and whether the satellite can withstand huge temperature changes,” a Sumitomo Forestry spokeswoman told AFP during a press conference at the unveiling of the wooden satellite.
According to the researchers, the experimental satellite is designed to burn up completely upon re-entering the atmosphere, potentially offering an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional metal satellites.
The satellite, named LignoSat and made from magnolia wood, will be handed over to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) next week.
It is scheduled to be sent to space aboard a SpaceX rocket from the Kennedy Space Center, destined for the International Space Station (ISS).
From there, it will be released from the Japanese ISS experiment module to test its strength and durability.
“Satellites that are not made of metal should become mainstream,” stated Takao Doi, an astronaut and special professor at Kyoto University, during a press conference.
This innovation aims to prevent the generation of metal particles, which can negatively impact the environment and telecommunications.
