NASA and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) are preparing to break new ground in space history. The two institutions announced that they plan to launch a satellite made of wood into orbit in 2024. LignoSat The experimental satellite, called , was made from magnolia wood and is about the size of a coffee cup.
Wooden satellite LignoSat is on its way to space
The LignoSat project, carried out by NASA and JAXA, is finally becoming a reality. The agency, which kept magnolia, cherry and birch samples on the International Space Station for 10 months, decided to choose wood as the main material.
Tests conducted on the ISS showed that the wood can withstand harsh conditions such as extreme temperature fluctuations and cosmic rays in outer space. It was also observed that it did not suffer any deformation, cracking or damage despite being exposed to solar particles.
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The reason why magnolia wood was chosen is that it is more resistant to splitting and breaking compared to other trees. According to research, while it is possible for wood to rot or burn on Earth, it is almost impossible for it to deform in the oxygen-free environment of space.
The LignoSat satellite wants to show that wood can be used as a sustainable alternative to classic materials such as aluminum and titanium. After its mission ends, the satellite will re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere and prove its sustainability by burning up completely.
The metal alloys used in current satellites become space waste because they do not burn completely. Their shiny surfaces also cause light pollution in the sky.
So what do you think about the wooden satellite LignoSat? Don’t forget to share your thoughts with us in the comments section.