World's First Wooden Satellite Launched Into Space
The world's first wooden satellite developed in Japan has been launched into space, CNN reports.
The satellite will be delivered to the International Space Station as part of the SpaceX mission. It will then be launched into orbit at an altitude of about 400 kilometres above the Earth.
The purpose of the launch is an early test of the use of wood in the exploration of the Moon and Mars.
The LignoSat satellite was developed by scientists from Kyoto University and the construction company Sumitomo Forestry. It was named after the Latin word lignum, which means ‘wood’.
The satellite is made of large-leaved magnolia, which grows in Japan, without screws or glue. Its size is no bigger than the palm of your hand.
LignoSat is intended to demonstrate the space potential of renewable materials for the study of life in space.
LignoSat is the first step towards the implementation of a 50-year plan to plant trees and build wooden houses on the Moon and Mars, developed by Japanese scientists. It is necessary to prove that wood is suitable for staying in space.
‘In the early 1900s, aeroplanes were made of wood. A wooden satellite should also be quite suitable,’ said Koji Murata, a professor at Kyoto University.
According to him, wood in space will be more durable than on Earth, because there is no water or oxygen to cause it to rot or catch fire.
The scientist also claims that a wooden satellite minimises the impact on the environment. Decommissioned metal satellites create aluminium oxide particles when they re-enter the atmosphere. Whereas wooden ones should carry less pollution.
LignoSat will be in orbit for six months. Electronic components on board will measure how wood withstands the extreme conditions of space. There, temperatures fluctuate from -100 to 100℃ every 45 minutes as the satellite moves from darkness to sunlight.
LignoSat will also measure wood's ability to reduce the effects of cosmic radiation on semiconductors.
The Gaze reported in May on plans to launch this satellite.