Japan introduces LignoSat, the world’s inaugural wooden satellite designed to address space debris issues.
Japanese scientists from Kyoto University, in partnership with Sumitomo Forestry, have created a groundbreaking spacecraft called the LignoSat to tackle the issue of space debris. What makes this satellite unique is its use of magnolia wood as a construction material.
The decision to explore wood as a viable alternative to traditional satellite metals stems from the environmental impact of burning satellites re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere. The small alumina particles produced during this process linger in the upper atmosphere and pose long-term environmental threats. To combat this, researchers in Kyoto launched a project to assess the suitability of biodegradable materials such as wood for building satellites, according to a report in The Guardian.
Extensive tests were carried out in laboratories simulating space conditions, which showed the wood’s surprising elasticity. Wood samples, including Japanese cherry and magnolia, were exposed on the International Space Station (ISS) for nearly a year. The results revealed minimal signs of damage, due to the lack of oxygen in space to prevent combustion and the absence of living organisms that cause decomposition.
Magnolia wood emerged as the strongest choice, which led to the construction of LignoSat. A wooden satellite roughly the size of a coffee mug goes to measure the deformation of the wooden structure in space. Wood has durability in one direction, but the researchers sought to evaluate its performance in terms of dimensional changes and cracking in other directions.
Launching a sustainable future: LignoSat’s final preparations
The launch, scheduled for this summer, has not yet made a choice between an Orbital Sciences Cygnus resupply ship or a SpaceX Dragon mission. If LignoSat succeeds, it could pave the way for wood to be a sustainable building material for future satellites. With more than 2,000 spacecraft launches expected each year, the environmental impact of burning aluminum returning from satellites could be mitigated by using biodegradable materials.
Research from the University of British Columbia warns of the possible weakening of the ozone layer caused by aluminum particles. However, LignoSat, which is designed to burn to biodegradable ash upon reentry, offers a promising solution to reducing the environmental risks associated with traditional satellites. The successful deployment and operation of LignoSat could mark a change in the way satellites are built, promoting a more sustainable approach to space exploration.
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