Japan Launches World’s First Wooden Satellite to Test Space-Ready Wood

Japan has developed an innovative wooden satellite called LingoSat, launched to explore how timber might reduce space debris. Created by researchers at Kyoto University, this satellite is designed to fully burn up upon re-entering the atmosphere, potentially avoiding the creation of metal fragments in space.

Weighing only 900 grams, LingoSat was recently launched aboard a SpaceX mission. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency prepared a specialized container for the satellite’s journey, and Kyoto University’s Human Spaceology Center confirmed its safe arrival in space.

Once positioned in orbit, LingoSat will spend six months testing how well timber withstands the extreme conditions of space. The satellite’s panels are made from magnolia wood, crafted using a traditional Japanese method that avoids screws and glue.

Kyoto University researchers are optimistic that wood could eventually replace certain metals in space applications, including construction for future lunar or Martian colonies. Wood is expected to perform well in space due to the absence of water and oxygen, which prevents rotting or burning, explained Professor Koji Murata of Kyoto University.

Though wood in space is a novel idea, it’s not entirely new. Dr. Simeon Barber from the UK’s Open University noted that cork, a form of wood, has previously been used as heat-resistant material on spacecraft during re-entry. The Soviet Union also used cork on lunar rovers for traction on the moon’s surface.

However, Dr. Barber expressed caution about wood’s potential to solve space debris issues. He pointed out that while wood might produce less metal debris, it could require larger amounts to ensure complete burn-up during re-entry.

This mission is a step toward understanding wood’s potential in sustainable space technology. Kyoto University astronaut and special professor Takao Doi suggested that wood-based satellites could become the norm, emphasizing the environmental benefits of alternatives to metal in satellite construction.