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Japanese scientists plan to launch the world’s first wooden artificial satellite to help reduce space pollution caused by traditional metal spacecraft.
Wood has the following effects: The coffee-mug-sized LignoSat spacecraft, made from magnolia wood, was developed by researchers at Kyoto University in collaboration with logging company Sumitomo Forestry, The Guardian reported. The material was chosen to demonstrate resilience and stability during extensive testing, including testing on the International Space Station (ISS).
Koji Murata, the project’s lead scientist, emphasized the wood’s remarkable ability to withstand the harsh space environment. He thought this could be due to the lack of oxygen in space, which could cause the wood to burn, and the lack of living organisms, which could cause the wood to decompose.
Driving innovation: The idea for the project arose from growing concerns about the environmental impact of traditional satellites, which are typically made of aluminum. Such satellites can release alumina particles into the Earth’s upper atmosphere upon re-entry, potentially impacting the ozone layer. Wooden satellites will burn to biodegradable ash during re-entry, minimizing environmental damage.
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What’s next: According to Murata, LignoSat will need to operate in space for at least six months before entering the upper atmosphere. The small satellite is expected to undergo extensive testing during its in-orbit mission.
“One of the missions of the satellite is to measure the deformation of wooden structures in space. Wood is durable and stable in one direction, but can be prone to dimensional changes and cracks in other directions. There is a certain gender,” Murata told the Guardian Observer. ”
Researchers are considering launching the LignoSat spacecraft on a flight to the ISS this summer on Orbital Sciences’ Cygnus replenishment ship, or via SpaceX’s Dragon mission scheduled for later this year. If the project is successful, it could pave the way for the widespread adoption of wood as a viable construction material for more sustainable satellites in the future.
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