The first wooden satellite, LignoSat, is already on the International Space Station. From there they will put it into orbit, with the aim of turning wood into the next space material. They even plan to build wooden houses on the Moon and Mars.
Wood has been a key element in human civilization, but it has its limitations. Water rots it, oxygen expands it, and fire burns it. However, in the vacuum of space it becomes a material as strong and durable as the metals used in satellites. But does not pollute.
Its creators, scientists from Kyoto University in Japan, are convinced that this wooden satellite will contribute to reduce space debris.
A cheap and ecological wooden satellite
Human beings are a polluting species. Wherever we go, we fill everything with garbage. Whether it’s a park, the mountains, the beach, or the Earth’s orbit. And the same thing is already happening on the Moon and Mars.
Thousands of satellites orbit the Earth, with fairly short life cycles. Some break down and become space junk, and others fall into the atmosphere and disintegrate. But release aluminum oxide particles, which are contaminants.
A wooden satellite like the LingoSat Not only is it much cheaper, but when it is destroyed in the atmosphere, it does not pollute.
Kyoto University carried out last year an experiment on the International Space Station, leaving several samples of different types of wood in space for 10 months.
They verified that magnolia wood does not deteriorate in spacenot even when subjected to extreme temperatures of cold and heat, as well as radiation for almost a year. That’s why Lignosat is built with honokia species of magnolia tree native to Japan, which the samurai used to create the sheaths of their swords.
Kyoto University has used traditional techniques that do not require screws or glue, to create the satellite, little larger than the palm of your hand.
After a series of tests on the International Space Station, it will be launched into orbit as a standard satellite. The goal of its creators is demonstrate that wood is an ideal material for space. His intention is to use it to build wooden houses and buildings on the Moon and Mars. That’s something no one expected…
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