Japanese researchers have sent the world’s first Lignosat into orbit, marking a milestone in the development of ecological cosmic technology. The Lignosat, a miniature cube-form satellite with a side of 10 centimeters, was created through the joint efforts of Kyoto University and the Sumitomo Forestry forestry company. It was delivered to the International Space Station on board the Dragon cargo ship by SpaceX.
The launch took place on Monday evening, 9:29 PM to the east of the United States, from the Kennedy cosmodrome. The Falcon 9 launch vehicle brought into orbit a Dragonship carrying a load of more than 6,000 pounds, including scientific equipment.
Japanese engineers chose magnolia-Honoka wood, which is common in the country, to create the satellite. The design is based on traditional Japanese woodworking technologies without the use of screws and glue. The material passed long tests, including a 10-month experiment on board the ISS.
According to Takao Doi from the University of Kyoto, wood can become a key material for the long-term space development. The space vacuum creates ideal conditions for wooden structures, protecting them from the effects of water and oxygen. Wooden satellites are also more environmentally friendly than metal analogues.
Unlike metal satellites, wooden apparatuses completely burn when returning to the Earth’s atmosphere, thus avoiding the pollution caused by burning metal fragments. If the first wooden model proves effective, the team plans to propose the idea to SpaceX. Lignosat will spend six months in orbit facing extreme temperatures and tests to evaluate its performance.
One of the main objectives of the experiment is to assess how well wood can protect semiconductors from cosmic radiation. The name ‘Lignosat’ comes from the Latin word ‘ligno,’ meaning ‘tree.’