Japan has launched the first wooden satellite to space

Japanese researchers have launched the world’s first wooden satellite, called LignoSat, into space. Created through a partnership between Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry, LignoSat was included in a recent SpaceX mission to the International Space Station (ISS) and will soon be deployed into orbit around Earth. Read: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 Review: Fabulous foldable Why a wooden satellite? There are two primary motivations behind the project.

First, it will test the durability of wood in the harsh environment of space. If LignoSat performs well, the team plans to explore more wooden structures for space applications. “With timber, a material we can produce ourselves, we could one day build homes and workspaces in space,” said astronaut Takao Doi, affiliated with Kyoto University.



This project marks the first step in a 50-year vision that includes planting trees and constructing timber habitats on the Moon and Mars. Koji Murata, a Kyoto University professor specializing in forest science, added, “In the early 1900s, airplanes were made of wood. A wooden satellite should be feasible too.

” For sceptics, wooden structures in space may seem impractical, but there are distinct advantages. Without exposure to Earth’s water and oxygen, wood doesn’t rot in space, nor is it at risk of combustion in the vacuum of space. Additionally, wood provides decent radiation protection, adding to its viability as a space material.

The second motivation concerns the environmental impact of current satellites. Earth’s orbit now hosts over 3,000 active satellites, alongside significant amounts of debris. Wooden satellites would eventually re-enter Earth’s atmosphere and burn up completely, leaving no trace.

While metal satellites also disintegrate upon re-entry, they often release harmful aluminium oxide particles. Using wood could reduce this pollution. Doi envisions a future where metal satellites might even be restricted in favour of biodegradable options.

And while a “log cabin on the moon” might sound like science fiction, it aligns with a growing movement for sustainable space exploration. There’s even an Apple TV+ series that explores this idea of living sustainably in space..