Wood takes its orbit: an unexpected space revolution
Space innovation takes a surprising turn with the launch of the first wooden satellite of the ISS space station into orbit. This technological advance, the result of a collaboration between the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Kyoto University, could well revolutionize our approach to space exploration.
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A satellite like no other
The LignoSat, whose name is derived from the Latin word meaning “wood”, was successfully deployed from the International Space Station (ISS) in December 2024. This small cubic satellite, belonging to the CubeSats category, is distinguished by its design unique entirely in wood. Unlike traditional satellites made of metal, the LignoSat is constructed from honokia species of Japanese magnolia chosen for its exceptional properties. This choice of material is not the result of chance, but the result of careful experimentation carried out for almost a year aboard the ISS.
A Japanese technical feat
The construction of the LignoSat is a true technical feat. Japanese engineers used a traditional carpentry technique called “sashimono“. This ancestral method makes it possible to assemble the different parts of the satellite without using screws, nails or glue. This artisanal know-how, put at the service of cutting-edge space technology, once again demonstrates Japan’s capacity for innovation. Kyoto’s master carpenters have helped shape the future of space exploration, skillfully combining tradition and modernity.
The advantages of wood in space
Using wood in satellite construction has several potential advantages. First of all, wood does not deteriorate in space as it would on Earth. The absence of water and oxygen in the space environment prevents the material from rotting. Also, wooden satellites could offer a more ecological solution for the end of life of spacecraft. Currently, metal satellites at the end of their mission are desorbed upon re-entering the earth’s atmosphere, where they are supposed to burn up completely. However, metal debris frequently survives re-entry, posing safety risks and contributing to space pollution..
A step towards sustainable space exploration
Professor Takao Doi, a former JAXA astronaut and researcher at Kyoto University, envisions a future where wood plays a crucial role in space exploration. According to him, “with wood, a material that we can produce ourselves, we will be able to build houses, live and work in space forever”. This bold vision opens the way to fascinating perspectives. Imagine self-sufficient space colonies, capable of growing their own trees to produce the materials needed for expansion. Wood could thus become a renewable and sustainable resource for the conquest of space.
The challenges to be met
Despite its promising potential, the use of wood in space raises many questions. The LignoSat was designed to remain in orbit for six months, during which onboard sensors will carefully monitor the behavior of wood in the extreme space conditions. Scientists will be particularly interested in the material’s resistance to the extremely low temperatures of space, as well as its ability to protect electronic components from ubiquitous solar and cosmic radiation. This data will be crucial in determining the long-term viability of wooden satellites.
A potential impact on the space industry
If the experience of LignoSat proves conclusive, it could have significant repercussions on the space industry. Professor Doi even goes so far as to suggest that “metallic satellites could be banned in the future”. With this in mind, the research team is already planning to offer their technology to major players in the space sector. This innovation could also stimulate research into other alternative materials for space construction. By challenging the traditional use of metal, LignoSat opens the way to broader thinking about the sustainability and efficiency of space technologies.
Towards a greener space future
The success of the LignoSat could mark the start of a new era in space exploration, where sustainability and respect for the environment would play a central role. By reducing the space debris and by offering a greener alternative to metal satellites, this technology could help preserve the space environment for future generations. In addition, the use of wood in space could have positive effects on Earth. The technological advances made as part of this project could find applications in other areas, such as sustainable construction.
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This article explores the groundbreaking launch of the first wooden satellite, the LignoSat, by the Japanese space agency JAXA. Wood (honiki) and the assembly technique (sashimono) show that immemorial materials and knowledge still have an impact on our future, even in its most technological branch!
Source : The Byte
