World’s first experimental wooden satellite set for launch

Japanese scientists have devised a first-of-its-kind wooden satellite that will be hurled skyward on Tuesday, Nov. 5, with help from American space agencies — all to test how new materials can survive in space.

After years of initial planning dating back to 2020, the small, coffee mug-sized box, engineered by the University of Kyoto and lumber company Sumitomo Forestry, will be launched toward the International Space Station from a SpaceX rocket, Reuters reported.

Engineers in Japan have designed a wooden satellite to see how durable the material is in space. Kyoto University

Called LignoSat — derived from the Latin for “wood” — the plan is to then deploy the microvessel from the ISS in the upcoming weeks for a six-month test to see how durable the device is.

“If we can use materials that humans can make and bring them to outer space, people will be able to create a sustainable society,” said Japanese astronaut, Space Shuttle veteran and researcher Takao Doi. “Therefore, we want to find out if wood can be used in space or not.”

The satellite’s scale is considerably tiny. Kyoto University

Fellow researcher Koji Murata explained that LignoSat is made from magnolia wood and is traditionally “resistant to shattering,” as it is used for Japanese sword scabbards and wooden flip flops as well.

However, this is one small stump for man with perhaps a more giant leap intended for the future use of wood in space.

“In our first conversations, Dr. Doi proposed we build wooden housing on the moon,” Murata told Scientific American.

“We have also discussed the possibility of building domes on Mars out of wood in order to grow timber forests.”

Wood may also hold the key to protecting people from some of Mars’ most harsh elements if eventual colonization is successful, engineering materials specialist Nisa Salim told the outlet.

The development process for LignoSat has been ongoing for close to five years. Kyoto University

Specifically, it could be “used effectively to design walls or outer shells of space habitats to provide protection.”

“Wood is an effective insulator, capable of regulating temperature and minimizing heat transfer to maintain a comfortable indoor environment. Wood is easy to work with, renewable and biodegradable, aligning with sustainability goals for space exploration.”