World’s First Wood-Paneled Satellite Launched to Assess Timber in Space

The world’s first satellite featuring wood panels has been launched into space. Its purpose is to evaluate timber’s suitability as a renewable construction material for future exploration missions to destinations such as the Moon and Mars. Developed by researchers in Japan, this compact satellite, weighing merely 900 grams, is currently en route to the International Space Station as part of a SpaceX mission. Subsequently, it will be released into orbit around Earth. Named LignoSat, a designation derived from the Latin word for wood, its panels were crafted from a type of magnolia tree using a traditional method that eschews screws or glue. Researchers at Kyoto University, who developed the satellite, express optimism that wood could eventually replace some metals currently utilized in space exploration. Kyoto University forest science professor Koji Murata informed Reuters news agency that “Wood is more durable in space than on Earth because there’s no water or oxygen that would rot or inflame it.” Professor Murata further stated, “Early 1900s airplanes were made of wood,” adding, “A wooden satellite should be feasible, too.” The researchers also hope that if trees could one day be cultivated on the Moon or Mars, wood might serve as a material for future space colonies. Alongside its wooden panels, LignoSat incorporates conventional aluminum structures and electronic components. It is equipped with onboard sensors to monitor how its wood reacts to the extreme space environment during its six-month orbital period around Earth. Dr. Simeon Barber, a space research scientist at the Open University in the UK, commented, “We have to be clear that this is not a satellite completely made of wood… but the basic premise behind the idea is really interesting.” He further explained to the BBC, “From a sustainability point of view, wood is a material that can be grown and is therefore renewable,” adding, “The idea that you might be able to grow wood on another planet to help you explore space or make shelters – explorers have always used wood to make shelters when they’ve gone to a new land.” Dr. Barber noted that the use of wood in spacecraft is not unprecedented. He elaborated, stating, “We use wood – cork – on the re-entry, outer shell of vessels of spacecraft to help them survive re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere.” He also mentioned that “Russian and Soviet lunar landers used cork to help the rover have grip as it was descending to the surface.” He concluded, “There’s nothing wrong with using wood in space – it’s using the right material for the right task.” However, he highlighted that wood possesses characteristics that are challenging to control. He further explained, “So from an engineering point of view it’s quite a difficult material to work with… I think wood’s always going to have a problem to make critical structures like parts of spacecraft where you need to predict how strong it’s going to be.” The researchers at Kyoto University also anticipate that using wood in spacecraft construction could be significantly less polluting than metal alternatives when they burn up upon re-entry at the end of their operational life. With the increasing number of spacecraft and satellites being launched, specialists have issued warnings regarding the growing threat of space junk falling to Earth. Dr. Barber acknowledged the mounting pressure on the space industry concerning the amount of pollution it releases into the atmosphere, yet he expressed skepticism that wooden spacecraft would provide a definitive solution. He elaborated, stating, “In principle having materials such as wood which can burn up more easily would reduce certainly those metallic contaminants… But you may end up taking more material with you in the first place just to burn it up on the way down.”