Japan to Launch Mug-Sized Wooden Satellite to Reduce Space Pollution

Japan is planning to launch an eco-friendly satellite in space. The Asian country is going green when it comes to the materials it uses for Lignosat.

Japan To Launch First-Ever Wooden Satellite

For a new satellite that is scheduled to launch this summer, Japanese scientists have replaced aluminum with wood. The satellite, called Lignosat, will be roughly the size of a mug and constructed of magnolia wood.

Furthermore, although it may not sound futuristic, employing wood could reduce dangerous pollutants in the space sector. If the microsatellite is successful, it might enable researchers to explore more environmentally friendly building materials.

The researchers plan several studies to see how well wood withstands the extreme conditions of space travel. Depending on their altitude and sun exposure, satellites in low-Earth orbit can encounter temperatures ranging from -85°F (-65°C) to +257°F (125°C).

The concern is that as the temperature changes, the satellite's wooden panels could flex or break. Nevertheless, preliminary studies revealed that laboratory-stored wood in space-like circumstances exhibited no detectable mass loss, symptoms of deterioration, or damage.

Inspired by these findings, the scientists launched samples of various wood species to the International Space Station, where they were kept for nearly a year.

Once more, despite being exposed to extremely high temperatures for twice as long as the satellite was supposed to operate, the wood exhibited very few signs of deterioration.

The project leader, Koji Murata, explained this by saying there isn't any oxygen or living things in space to break down the wood.

"Wood's ability to withstand these conditions astounded us," Murata said.

After reviewing the results of the ISS tests, the scientists decided to make the final satellite from Magnolia wood.

In comparison to other woods tested, such as the Japanese Cherry tree, Magnolia proved to be the ideal wood for creating a satellite.

In a statement, Kyoto University wrote Magnolia showed "high workability, dimensional stability, and overall strength."

Why Create Satellites From Wood?

Compared to metals, wood actually has a few unexpected advantages. Radio waves utilized for communication with orbiting satellites are among the electromagnetic radiation that wood does not block.

This implies that wooden satellites can simplify construction and increase strength by keeping all of their radio electronics and antenna inside.

However, the environmentally beneficial qualities of wood are the ones in which scientists are most interested.

As of September of last year, there were estimated to be 10,590 satellites in orbit, of which about 8,800 were still operational. It is expected that the increasing amount of space debris will only worsen in the upcoming years, as projections indicate that 2,500 more satellites will be launched annually between now and 2031.

Japanese astronaut and Kyoto University engineer Takao Doi claims that every satellite that re-enters Earth's atmosphere burns and produces microscopic alumina particles that float in the upper atmosphere for many years.

According to a study from the University of British Columbia, the ozone layer is seriously harmed by the aluminum that satellites leave behind when they burn up.

A layer of gas known as the ozone layer covers the Earth, preventing solar radiation that could be hazardous to life and reducing the amount of sunlight that reaches the ground.

In order to prevent future damage to this protective barrier, engineers are hopeful that wooden satellites will offer a lasting substitute. Wooden satellites like Lignosat vanish in a cloud of smoke, leaving behind little more than biodegradable debris, as opposed to creating hazardous particles.

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