Out of This World: Japan Launches the First Wooden Satellite

In a move that redefines eco-friendly innovation, Japan has successfully launched the world’s first wooden satellite, LignoSat, into orbit with the help of SpaceX.

Developed through a partnership between Kyoto University and various research institutions, LignoSat is now en route to the International Space Station (ISS) to explore the potential of renewable materials in space.

At an altitude of around 400 kilometers above Earth, LignoSat will test the resilience and durability of wood in the harsh conditions of space. Researchers hope that if wood can withstand the extremes of the cosmic environment, it may pave the way for a new generation of sustainable satellites and other space technologies. Kyoto University astronaut and researcher Takao Doi believes that wood could become a key material for building future habitats and workspaces on Earth’s orbit and beyond, including on the Moon and Mars.

Professor Koji Murata from Kyoto University explains that wood, free from Earthly challenges like water and oxygen that lead to corrosion, has a good chance of proving highly durable in space. Drawing parallels to the early 20th century, when airplanes were first built from wood, Murata suggests that wood could one day offer a viable alternative to metal in space applications.

If LignoSat’s mission proves successful, Doi plans to propose further experiments with wooden satellites and explore the potential for deploying eco-friendly satellites on a larger scale.