The world’s first wooden satellite was launched into space on Tuesday, November 5. The space invention, designed by Japanese specialists, was propelled aboard a SpaceX rocket, as part of a supply mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
Wooden satellite designed to withstand extreme temperatures Photo AlKhaleej Today
The newly launched satellite, called LignoSat and with the appearance of a wooden cube with a side of only 10 centimeters, was launched aboard a rocket without a human crew, from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida of the American space agency NASA, the Center for Space Studies reported from Kyoto University, Japan.
Scientists say that when it eventually re-enters the atmosphere, the wood should burn up without generating the usual metallic particles associated with satellites falling back to Earth. These particles can have a negative impact on the environment, but also on telecommunications, the specialists said.
The wooden satellite was installed in a container specially prepared by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The satellite “flew into space safely,” JAXA said in a message on the X social network.
A spokesman for LignoSat co-developer Sumitomo Forestry confirmed to AFP that the launch was “successful”. The satellite “will soon arrive at the ISS and will be sent into space about a month later” to test its strength and durability, the company said.
Data will be sent from the satellite to researchers, who can check for signs of deformation and determine whether it can withstand extreme temperature changes.
“Non-metal satellites should become more common”said Takao Doi, astronaut and professor at Kyoto University, during a press conference organized at the beginning of this year.
The LignoSat model was built from magnolia wood and designed to withstand extreme temperatures and space radiation. The purpose of the mission will be to demonstrate the cosmic potential of renewable materials, at a time when people are exploring the possibility of living in space.
The wooden satellite reduces the environmental impact at the end of its life, scientists say, explaining that wood is more durable in space than on Earth because there is no water or oxygen to rot or catch fire, according to the Kyodo publication.
If this model is successful, as the researchers expect, the wood could be used in future space exploration missions.
