World’s First Wooden Satellite Built by Japanese Researchers To Fight Space Pollution; How Does LignoSat Probe Differ From Other Spacecraft?

A cube-shaped wooden satellite is set to be launched into orbit, the first time timber has been used for the purpose.

Eco-Friendly Satellite

On May 28, Japanese researchers reported that they had succeeded in creating the first wooden satellite in the world. It is named "LignoSat," from the blend of the prefix 'ligno' which means wood and satellite.

LignoSat was the result of four years of development efforts by a team composed of experts from Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry Co. The team aims to harness the potential of wood for space development with its environmental friendliness and low-cost features.

This satellite is a 3.94-inch (10-centimeter) cube made from 4 - 5.5 millimeter-thick magnolia wood panels and a frame that is partially constructed from aluminum. It contains solar panels connected to the side and weighs around 2.20 pounds (1 kilogram). The tiny cube-shaped object is designed based on a traditional Japanese technique which does not use any screws or adhesive materials.

LignoSat will be turned over to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) on June 4 and is set to be lifted off in September. It will be lifted off aboard a SpaceX rocket from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, bound for the International Space Station.

In their joint press release, scientists from Kyoto University and Tokyo-based wood products company said that the latest development is a great step not only for the space industry, but also for wood production. They noted that it will help open up the possibilities of the use of wood as a sustainable resource.

The Japanese team believes in the durability of the wooden material used in the satellite even in the harshest conditions of outer space. The experts plan to monitor the reactions of the wooden satellite to radio waves and magnetic fields, as well as the efficiency of the wooden shell in protecting the semiconductor and chip of the satellite.

In the future, the team plans to build a satellite entirely made from wood, according to Professor Takao Doi from Kyoto University. This might include the electronic substrate portion contained inside the satellite.

Space Pollution From Conventional Satellites

Since the 1950s, humans have been launching satellites into orbit, with up to 100 spacecraft lifted off every year until 2010. As the number of rockets lifted off into space continues to increase, it is assumed that almost half of the aerosol in the atmosphere could contain metallic fragments from launched spacecraft.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), about 10% of atmospheric aerosol in the Earth's atmosphere contains metallic particles from spacecraft such as satellites. While the long-term effects of these metal fragments is still unknown, experts believe that these can damage the fragile ozone layer of our planet.

At the end of their life, satellites need to reenter the Earth's atmosphere, causing them to burn during the process. Conventional satellites are typically made of metals and can create alumina particles, which can affect weather and communications. Meanwhile, wooden satellites are considered better for the environment while providing the same efficiency as their metal counterparts.