The SpaceX CRS-31 mission has delivered the world's first wooden satellite, LignoSat, to the International Space Station (ISS), setting a new path for material testing in space.
The spacecraft successfully docked with the ISS on Tuesday morning, marking another achievement for SpaceX in cargo missions and a unique milestone in space technology as scientists test timber's potential as a sustainable material in space.
The Dragon capsule launched Monday night from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, carrying over 6,000 pounds of supplies, including experimental materials and holiday treats for the ISS crew. Among these items, LignoSat, a palm-sized satellite made of honoki wood, stands out for its purpose: evaluating how wood performs in the harsh environment of space.
Japanese researchers from Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry developed this satellite, inspired by the hope of creating eco-friendly materials for future space missions.
"Timber can be an incredible material for space," said Takao Doi, a professor and former astronaut, who believes that sustainable resources like wood could revolutionize space construction.
Doi said timber could support future habitats in space, as it is both renewable and easily produced. The use of wood in LignoSat, which was assembled without screws or adhesives, adds a layer of sustainability, as the material would burn up upon reentry, leaving minimal debris in Earth's atmosphere, according to Reuters.
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LignoSat to Test Wood's Resilience in Space
LignoSat's mission, scheduled to last six months, will assess the durability of honoki wood in orbit about 250 miles above Earth. Sensors inside the satellite will gather data on the effects of radiation and extreme temperature fluctuations on the wood's structure.
Kyoto University scientists chose honoki wood, a type of magnolia, for its strength and history of use in Japanese crafts, like sword sheaths.
The project, which started in 2020, also underscores an environmental angle: traditional metal satellites can contribute to space debris upon reentry, whereas wooden satellites might offer a cleaner alternative.
Professor Koji Murata, a forest science expert, noted that wood is resistant to rotting and fire in space due to the lack of oxygen and moisture, adding confidence to timber's potential role in space technology.
LignoSat will be released from the ISS in about a month to begin its free-orbit phase, during which it will send data back to researchers. If successful, this experiment could lead to more sustainable designs in satellite technology, allowing scientists to explore eco-friendly building materials beyond Earth.
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