A wooden satellite? The ‘millennial’ project that would be in orbit in September

Researchers at Kyoto University announced that they have completed construction of LignoSat, the world’s first wooden satellite, and plan to launch it into orbit in September.

(Read: The ancient member of the Solar System in which they now found water in space).

LignoSat, a combination of the words ligno, a prefix meaning wood, and satellite, is the result of about four years of research by Kyoto University and the company Sumitomo Forestry, with the aim of creating a satellite that is more respectful of the environment and at a lower cost.

The small CubeSat satellite has successfully passed rigorous safety inspections carried out by NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), marking the first time that a wooden satellite has been approved for use. in the space.

(See: Meet the oldest man to conquer space).

“Conventional satellites generate alumina particles during combustion, which can have a negative impact on Earth’s climate and communications. Since wood burns when it re-enters the atmosphere, this impact is expected to be reduced.”the educational center said in a statement.

The University considers that this is a step “extremely valuable” for the space and wood industry and that “it will help open the possibilities of using this material, a sustainable resource”.

Built using the traditional Japanese carpentry method, whereby no screws or adhesive are used, LignoSat is a 10-centimeter cube made from 4 to 5.5 millimeter-thick magnolia wood panels, with a frame partially constructed of aluminum. .

It also has solar panels placed on some sides and weighs approximately 1 kilogram.

(Also: An ‘inflated’ planet: the James Webb telescope solves the mystery of WASP-107 b).

“In the future we would like to create a satellite, including the electronic substrate part (inside), made entirely of wood”said Takao Doi, an astronaut who works as a professor for a program at Kyoto University.

The satellite will be delivered to JAXA on June 4 and launched, possibly in September. from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida (United States), bound for the International Space Station, on a SpaceX ship.

EFE