By Zainab Shafiq 
History has been made as the world’s first-ever wood satellite LignoSat finally reached Earth’s orbit. Dubbed LignoSat, the satellite was jointly developed by Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry. Along with four other CubeSats, the satellite launched 400 kilometers above Earth in the last month. LignoSat had first landed at the International Space Station in November aboard a SpaceX Dragon cargo capsule.
What Makes World’s First-Ever Wood Satellite LignoSat Sustainable?
LignoSat is made from panels of honoki magnolia wood and is put together using a Japanese method of wood joinery that doesn’t require screws or glue. This innovative satellite weighs only 900 grams and is a step toward sustainability in space. Its six-month mission will test the survivability of wood in space, an eco-friendly alternative to traditional materials such as aluminum, titanium, and thermoplastics.
Onboard sensors on the satellite will also watch for the strain on the wood and its resistance in extreme conditions of space where temperature differences span from -100°C to 100°C every 45 minutes. The study could pave the way for the use of wood material in lunar and Martian exploration.
A New Era in Space Exploration
It would turn things around with LignoSat’s deployment when it comes to designing satellites and their disposal methods. While regular satellites cannot burn completely in re-entry to the Earth’s atmosphere, a wooden one will. Scientists feel this may go a long way in helping mitigate a key risk- increasing space debris-associated with future manned or unmanned space missions.
Takao Doi, astronaut of Kyoto University, said, “With timber, a material we can produce ourselves, we can build houses, live and work in space forever.”
Also, as there is no water and oxygen in space, according to Koji Murata, a professor of forest science at Kyoto University, wood lasts longer than on Earth.
As space exploration evolves, LignoSat is the monumental shift toward sustainable solutions, opening new doors for eco-friendly advancements in space technology.
Also, see:
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk awaits Pakistani government’s permission for Starlink in country