The First Wooden Satellite in the World Has Been Launched Into Space

Wooden Satellite Launched into Space

Its Japanese creators announced on Tuesday that they launched the first-ever wooden satellite into space aboard a SpaceX rocket. This satellite is part of a resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

Scientists at Kyoto University developed the satellite, designing it to burn up entirely upon re-entering Earth’s atmosphere. This design potentially offers a sustainable alternative to prevent metal debris from entering the environment as decommissioned satellites return to Earth.

LignoSat’s Dimensions and Launch Details

Named LignoSat, the cube-shaped experimental satellite measures 10 centimeters (4 inches) on each side. Kyoto University’s Human Spaceology Center confirmed that the unmanned rocket launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, and the satellite safely entered space, as stated in a post on X.

A spokesperson from Sumitomo Forestry, a co-developer of LignoSat, confirmed that the launch was “successful.” The team expects the satellite to reach the ISS shortly, and about a month later, they will release it into outer space to assess its resilience under extreme temperature fluctuations.

Data Transmission and Future of Non-Metal Satellites

Once in orbit, LignoSat will transmit data back to Earth, allowing researchers to examine its structural integrity. “Non-metallic satellites could become the norm,” astronaut and Kyoto University professor Takao Doi suggested at a press conference earlier this year, emphasizing the potential of wood-based materials in space technology.

Read the original article on: Science Alert

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