Conversion of Space to Garbage Will Be Prevented by Wooden Satellites

as humanity For about 70 years, we have been launching satellites into space for various purposes. When it comes to satellite, a similar visual comes to mind for almost everyone; a metal box. Of course, that’s a pretty simple definition, but that’s roughly the picture.

But the countless satellites launched space junk, One of the most important debates of recent years. Fortunately, a research team from Japan has taken a rather interesting step that could be a solution to this problem.

Strange as it may sound, the solution is wooden satellites;

Space is a pretty brutal place once you stop looking at it from the romantic side. Naturally, all the spacecraft, satellites we sent there Manufactured from durable materials needs. Even so, no one thought of using wood as a material.

However, the research team, which is carrying out a project called LignoSat in Japan, took a creative approach. flexible, durable and lightweight material He started working on the idea that wood could be used as Of course there is a specific tree they are working on; magnolia tree and wood derived from it.

It is thought that the giant space garbage accumulating in our orbit will no longer be a problem if wooden satellites are put into practice. Because while the satellites entered the atmosphere and started to burn, some parts left behind can be stuck in their own mini-orbits in the space without burning, which in time leads to giant explosions. causing them to become part of space junk. However, as you can imagine, this is not the case for a wooden material.

Experiments have demonstrated the durability of the magnolia tree;

As part of the project, sample wooden pieces were placed around a module on the International Space Station. exposed to high radiation in space for 290 days and the tested parts were brought back to earth and examined.

Inspections and durability tests on sample wood pieces No deformation, deterioration or damage was detected. revealed. The team will continue testing in a mission to be carried out in 2024 in partnership with NASA and JAXA. In addition, various investigations will be carried out to understand whether there is damage at the nanoscale.

However, the data obtained so far is especially for the large number of small and medium-sized satellites. wood is a promising material reveals.