Revolutionary Wooden Satellite Set to Test Timber’s Potential for Lunar and Mars Exploration

Kyoto University Launches First Wooden Satellite to Explore Sustainability in Space

Metals have traditionally been the primary choice for designing space satellites due to their ability to withstand extreme temperatures, high levels of radiation, and vacuum. However, in a groundbreaking development, LignoSat, the world’s first wooden satellite, was launched into space on 12 November as part of an experimental mission to explore the use of wood in space exploration, particularly for lunar and Mars missions. Developed by Kyoto University in collaboration with Sumitomo Forestry, a leading homebuilding company, LignoSat marks a pioneering step towards using renewable materials in space technology. The satellite will first be sent to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard a SpaceX mission before being released into orbit approximately 400 km (250 miles) above Earth. This test aims to assess the potential of wood as a sustainable material for future space missions.

The palm-sized LignoSat, named after the Latin word for "wood," is made from hinoki, a type of magnolia tree identified as the most suitable material for spacecraft following a 10-month experiment aboard the International Space Station. Using a traditional Japanese crafting technique, the satellite was constructed without screws or glue. This innovative approach underscores the potential of timber as a material for future space missions, as humanity continues to explore the possibility of living and working in space. Takao Doi, an astronaut and researcher at Kyoto University, stated that using timber, a material that can be produced on Earth would enable humans to build houses and live and work in space indefinitely. The NASA-certified wooden satellite demonstrates that wood is a viable material for space use. Doi’s team has a long-term plan to plant trees and build timber houses on the Moon and Mars. If successful, the first wooden satellite will lead to a pitch for this idea to Elon Musk’s SpaceX, especially as metal satellites may eventually face restrictions in the future.

Koji Murata, a professor at Kyoto University, highlighted that just as airplanes in the early 1900s were made of wood, a wooden satellite should also be feasible. He explained that wood is more durable in space due to the absence of water and oxygen, which prevents it from rotting or catching fire. Additionally, wooden satellites would have a reduced environmental impact at the end of their life. When decommissioned, satellites must re-enter the atmosphere to avoid contributing to space debris. While conventional metal satellites release aluminum oxide particles during re-entry, wooden satellites would simply burn up, creating less pollution.

LignoSat will remain in orbit for six months. Once deployed, its electronic components will measure how wood withstands the harsh conditions of space, where temperatures fluctuate between -100°C and 100°C every 45 minutes as it moves from darkness to sunlight. The satellite will also assess wood's ability to mitigate the impact of space radiation on semiconductors, a feature that could prove valuable for applications like data center construction. Although wood may seem outdated, it is a cutting-edge technology as humanity moves toward deeper space exploration. According to Kenji Kariya, a manager at Sumitomo Forestry Tsukuba Research Institute, the expansion into space could potentially revitalize the timber industry.

LignoSat’s successful launch marks a significant step toward integrating renewable materials, such as wood, into space technology. By testing wood’s durability and its potential to reduce environmental impact, the project challenges traditional metal materials and also proves that even materials once considered outdated can play a crucial role in future space missions.

Editor’s Note:

LignoSat, the world’s first wooden satellite, marks a groundbreaking leap in space exploration. Developed by Kyoto University in collaboration with Sumitomo Forestry, this innovative satellite showcases the remarkable potential of wood in space missions. The project highlights the ingenuity of Japanese researchers, who have demonstrated that timber can play a significant role in the future of space technology. Not only does LignoSat open up new opportunities for the timber industry, but it also offers cost-effective and environmentally friendly solutions for space missions. 

Skoobuzz wholeheartedly commends the achievements of Kyoto University and its team for initiating this pioneering project, which is set to transform the future of space exploration.