Japanese researchers announced on Tuesday that they have successfully built the world's first wooden satellite. The small, cube-shaped object is expected to be sent into space in September on a SpaceX rocket launched from the United States.
Japan has built the world's first wooden satellite, which will likely be launched in September. The satellite is the result of nearly four years of development work by Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry Corporation, a Japanese logging company, it said. Kyodo News.
According to project participants, wooden satellites are less harmful to the environment than traditional metal satellites when they burn up upon returning to the Earth's atmosphere at the end of their work, as metals can create aluminum particles that can negatively affect weather and communications.
In a joint press release, Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry noted that this latest development is “an extremely valuable step for both the aviation and timber industries.”
The satellite, called LignoSat, is a cubic object with a diameter of 10 centimeters made of sheets of magnolia wood 4-5.5 millimeters thick with a partial aluminum frame. The solar panels are placed on some sides, and it weighs about 1 kg. Made using traditional Japanese technology that does not use nails or adhesives.
In the future, we would like to create a satellite, including the electronic core inside, made entirely of wood
Japanese astronaut Takao Doi said.
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