A wooden Satellite in Space

 

A satellite made out of wood does that really exist? Yes, Researchers at the Kyoto University and the logging company Sumitomo Forestry have developed LignoSat. Instead of Aluminum the panels of LignoSat are made of wood from a type of Magnolia tree. No screws or glue was used instead it was built after traditional techniques. However, the frame is still made out of Aluminum and of course the electrical components.

But why you make ask, Why make a satellite out of wood? Well, the hypothesis is that certain timber have a role to play in the space sector. Wood would help reduce the environmental impacts of space activities, especially when decommissioning comes into play. Since conventional satellites are primarily made of Aluminum, when burning up they generate aluminum oxides which can alter Earths thermal balance and damage the Ozone layer.

Wouldn’t wood deteriorate in space? Space is lacking oxygen and water this could help prevent the wood from rotting or inflaming. LignoSat has tools on board that help measure temperature and the strain on the structure to see how the wood performs in the vacuum of space.

Since wood can be produced easily hopes are that wooden structures can be sent to the moon and other planets for humans to live in space indefinitely. 

LignoSat is a big test and research project to see if timber has a role in the world of space. LignoSat doesn’t carry any other scientific equipment besides the monitoring devices needed to see how the timber holds up in space.

LignoSat was sent to the ISS via Space X’s 31^st resupply mission and will be deployed into orbit 400 km above Earth via the ISS in December. I am curious to see how the Magnolia wood will hold up in Space, imagine the possibilities that will have been opened if this is a success! 

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