NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) are considering launching the LignoSat probe, the world’s first wooden satellite, into space to make spaceflight operations more sustainable.
Kyoto University scientists built the tiny satellite in collaboration with Sumitomo Forestry, a logging company. Scientists believe that the satellite’s biodegradable nature will help to protect the Earth’s environment.
Currently, our stratosphere is inundated with metallic particles from spacecraft, including satellites, which are primarily made of aluminium.
“All satellites that re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere burn, releasing tiny alumina particles that will float in the upper atmosphere for years. Takao Doi, a Japanese astronaut and aerospace engineer at Kyoto University, predicted that it would eventually have an impact on the Earth’s environment.
While the long-term effects of these metals are unknown at this time, experts believe they could harm Earth’s fragile ozone layer.
Why is Japan launching the world’s first wooden satellite?
Keeping the environment in mind, scientists looked for alternatives, and researchers at a Japanese university discovered wood that does not burn or rot in space. However, upon reentry into the Earth’s atmosphere, it quickly incinerates into fine ash, causing minimal environmental damage.
To select the appropriate wood, the scientists examined numerous timber profiles before settling on wood from magnolia trees, which proved to be the most durable.
After successfully testing their wood samples on the International Space Station (ISS) earlier this year, the scientists believe the test satellite is ready to launch.
What is LignoSat?
The LignoSat probe, which is about the size of a coffee mug, is expected to spend at least six months in space before being allowed to enter the upper atmosphere.
If the launch of LignoSat is successful and it performs well in space, it could pave the way for the use of wood as a construction material for future satellites.
While sci-fi movies and shows depict a future with aluminum rockets and steel skyscrapers, slick high-speed shuttles, and glassy facades, it appears that we may need to reimagine what it looks like.
