Why did these researchers send a wooden satellite into space ?

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This is a world first. It A few days ago, the first ever wooden satellite was sent into space. Developed by Japanese researchers, this rather unusual satellite weighs 900 grams and will pass by the International Space Station before being put into orbit at above the Earth. But why a wooden satellite ?

The aim of this project is to test the ability of wood to protect the electronic components of the satellite, in the extreme conditions of space. Indeed, wood is more resistant in space, since the absence of water and oxygen prevents it from rotting or burning.

A new material for space ?

“Metal satellites could be banned from the future”, Takao Doi, an astronaut and professor at Kyoto University, said, according to Reuters. “If we can prove that our first wooden satellite works, we want to present it to Elon Musk's SpaceX.” Wood is a more sustainable material that could even be used to build buildings in space.

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Another advantage: wooden satellites would be less polluting when decommissioned. Indeed, when a satellite is decommissioned, it enters the atmosphere. And the problem with metal satellites is that they create aluminum oxide particles when entering the atmosphere. The combustion of a wooden satellite would therefore be less polluting.

Called LignoSat, the first wooden satellite will be in orbit for a period of six months, allowing researchers to make observations using integrated sensors. This was developed by a group of researchers from Kyoto University with Sumitomo Forestry, a Japanese company specializing in construction.

• The first-ever wooden satellite has been sent into space and will orbit Earth for six months
• The goal of this project, led by Japanese researchers, is to test the viability of the material
• Indeed, wood is a material that can be produced and it would create less pollution when decommissioned

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