Humans have historically used wood for various purposes, including transportation and early aircraft construction. However, its susceptibility to rot in different conditions led to a decline in its use since the 20th century.
Recently, wood has made a remarkable return with the launch of LignoSat, the world’s first wooden satellite developed by Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry researchers. This palm-sized satellite, crafted from timber, was sent into orbit aboard a SpaceX mission and will circle the Earth from the International Space Station at an altitude of 400 kilometers.
Named after the Latin word for “wood,” LignoSat aims to showcase wood as a sustainable alternative to traditional metals in space structures, potentially influencing future space missions to celestial bodies like the Moon and Mars.
Wood offers advantages in space due to its resistance to rot and fire in the absence of water and oxygen. This unique feature opens up possibilities for long-term space habitation and construction, presenting an innovative approach to space exploration.
In addition to its longevity, wooden satellites like LignoSat have the potential to reduce environmental impact by burning up upon re-entry, eliminating the production of harmful particles that metal satellites generate.
The concept of wooden satellites raises questions about sustainable and debris-free space exploration, sparking discussions on the future of space technology.