Japanese researchers have just sent the world’s first wooden satellite into space as reported CNN. LignoSat, named after the Latin word for tree, was developed by Kyoto University and a company called Sumitomo Forestry. It is included in SpaceX’s mission to the International Space Station (ISS) and will soon be launched into orbit above Earth.
Why are you doing this? There are two main reasons for this. Above all, it will be a test of the tree’s durability when faced with the harsh conditions of space. If successful, the researchers plan to build more wooden structures and launch them into space.
“With wood, a material we can produce ourselves, we will be able to build houses and live and work in space forever,” said Kyoto University astronaut Takao Doi. It’s the first step in a 50-year plan that includes planting trees and building actual log homes on the Moon and even Mars.
“In the early 1900s, airplanes were made of wood,” said Koji Murata, professor of forest sciences at Kyoto University. “A wooden satellite should also be possible.”
For those who shy away from the idea of using wooden structures in space, consider some advantages. The material must be more durable in space than on Earth because there is no water or oxygen in the infinite void. There is nothing that causes decay and it is very difficult to catch fire. It even suggests fairly decent protection from radiation.
Another reason has to do with all the other satellites in orbit. Planet right now It is surrounded by more than 3000 satellitesNot to mention all kinds of related space debris. The wooden satellites will eventually fall to Earth and burn up upon re-entry.
Metal satellites (mostly) burn up during the return trip, but not before formation harmful aluminum oxide particles. We don’t really have a plan for that the ever-expanding amount of space debris entombing the planet, so it can help. Doi envisages a scenario where “metal satellites may be banned in the future”. Anyway, having a log cabin a month would be a good time. It literally has Apple TV+ show and all that.
