First Wooden Satellite Launched into Space

A new type of satellite will test the use of wood in space, sparking curiosity about how it will perform.

Wood Rockets to the Stars

A groundbreaking event in space exploration history has just occurred—a wooden satellite has been launched into orbit. This scientific breakthrough, which seems lifted from a sci-fi plot, is the culmination of efforts by researchers from Kyoto University and the forestry company Sumitomo.

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LignoSat: The Revolutionary Satellite

Named LignoSat, after the Latin word for wood, this satellite was deployed into space on a SpaceX mission to the International Space Station. Circling our planet at about 400 kilometers, it allows scientists to assess the durability of wood in outer space conditions.

The wood used, Hoonoki—a type of magnolia known for its shatter-resistant properties—was previously tested in 2022 during a 240-day exposure in space from the International Space Station.

Wood: The Future Material for Space Conquest?

According to Takao Doi, astronaut and professor at Kyoto University, “Wood, a material we can produce ourselves, could enable us to build homes and live and work in space indefinitely.” These ambitious words highlight the team’s long-term vision for developing extraterrestrial life.

The research team will continue to explore wood’s effectiveness as a protective barrier against space radiation for semiconductors. Another significant benefit: wood, shielded from water and oxygen in space, is not at risk of burning or decomposing.

Towards a Greener Option

Designing wooden satellites could also have positive environmental implications. These satellites might offer a less polluting alternative to their metal counterparts, which release aluminum oxide particles when they burn up upon re-entering Earth’s atmosphere.

Given these promising results, the team even considers, in the distant future, growing wood to construct homes on the Moon and Mars, thereby redefining our vision of space colonization.