Researchers Successfully Launch the First Wooden Satellite Into Space. They Want to Change the Rules

Most satellites currently in orbit are constructed from metals like steel and titanium. These materials are strong and lightweight, designed to protect the internal components of the devices from the harsh conditions of space without adding unnecessary weight.

A team of researchers at Kyoto University, led by astronaut Takao Doi, has proposed an alternative: using wood instead of traditional metals. Although wood can degrade easily on Earth, it could surprisingly remain durable in the environment of space.

The First Wooden Satellite in Space

Doi has long believed that wooden satellites represent a promising future. He even suggests that metal alloys may eventually become obsolete for this purpose. Now, his vision is becoming a reality. After years of development, LignoSat, the first wooden satellite, is finally in space.

LignoSat is a Japanese-made CubeSat weighing just over 32 ounces. The world’s first wooden satellite arrived at the International Space Station on Nov. 5 aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and is scheduled to be released into space in about a month’s time.

If everything goes according to plan, LignoSat will be launched into orbit from the ISS’s Japanese Experiment Module. Despite its small size (4 inches), it contains electronic components that will record various parameters, such as the strain of wooden structures, temperature, and radiation conditions.

The experiment’s ultimate goal is to determine whether wood can be considered a space-grade material. Researchers have selected honoki wood, which is derived from the magnolia tree and has historically been used to make samurai swords.

The choice of wood was made after careful consideration. In 2022, Kyoto University sent several blocks of different types of wood (magnolia, cherry, and birch) to the ISS. The samples were exposed to the extreme conditions of outer space for several months. Upon analysis, the data showed that magnolia wood was the most resistant of the three.

Image | Kyoto University/JAXA [1, 2]

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