Japan Plans to Launch World’s First Wooden Satellite to Combat Space Pollution

Japanese scientists are preparing to launch an innovative solution to combat space pollution – a satellite made entirely of timber. Named LignoSat, this environmentally friendly probe is set to orbit the Earth this summer, marking a significant milestone in space exploration.

Constructed from magnolia wood, LignoSat is the brainchild of researchers at Kyoto University in collaboration with Sumitomo Forestry, a logging company. The decision to use wood comes after extensive experiments, including trials aboard the International Space Station (ISS), where magnolia wood displayed remarkable resilience and stability.

The motivation behind LignoSat is to explore the feasibility of using biodegradable materials in satellite construction as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional metals. Currently, most satellites burn up upon reentry into the Earth's atmosphere, leaving behind harmful alumina particles that can linger for years and impact the environment.

The use of wood presents a promising solution to this problem. Not only does wood resist burning and decomposition in space, but it also disintegrates into biodegradable ash upon reentry, posing minimal risk to the environment. This could significantly reduce the environmental footprint of space missions and address concerns about space debris.