Successful launch of world's first wooden satellite 'LignoSat' developed by Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry
by Kyoto University
On November 5, 2024, it was reported that the world's first wooden artificial satellite, '
SpaceX's SpX-31, carrying the world's first wooden artificial satellite LignoSat, was successfully launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA. SpX-31 is a transport vehicle that carries materials to the International Space Station. LignoSat was placed inside the vehicle and launched into space on JAXA's Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (J-SSOD). pic.twitter.com/sEbn1ZHVEY
— Kyoto University Space Wood Project (@spaceKUwood) November 5, 2024
World's first wooden satellite, developed in Japan, heads to space | Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/technology/space/worlds-first-wooden-satellite-developed-japan-heads-space-2024-11-05/
World's first wooden satellite heads to space in Mars exploration test | World News | Sky News
https://news.sky.com/story/worlds-first-wooden-satellite-heads-to-space-in-mars-exploration-test-13248719
The World's First Wooden Satellite Has Launched Into Space : ScienceAlert
https://www.sciencealert.com/the-worlds-first-wooden-satellite-has-launched-into-space
Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry developed the world's first wooden satellite, Lignosat, over a period of about four years in the 'Space Wood Project (LignoStella Project)' launched in 2020, and delivered it to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) in June 2024. Although there were other teams researching wooden satellites, Lignosat is the first to pass safety inspections by JAXA and NASA and be officially approved for the use of wood in space.
You can get a good idea of what LignoSat looks like and what its development process is by watching the video below.
The world's first 'wooden artificial satellite' also uses 'joinery' techniques! Craftsman 'rediscovers that this is a job with potential' Launch in September this year Kyoto University (May 28, 2024) - YouTube
LignoSat is a cube with each side measuring approximately 10 cm and weighing approximately 1 kg.
The team developed the wooden satellite based on data obtained from various physical property tests, including space exposure experiments on the ISS's external platform. The final LignoSat satellite was made from
The prototype under development looks like this. By using wood for the body of the satellite, it is possible to minimize the amount of material left unburned when it enters the atmosphere. In addition, since there is no oxygen or water in space that would promote the decay of wood, it is said to be more durable in space than on Earth.
The solar panel on the front will generate electricity, and the electronic devices inside will collect data such as its location and the condition of the wooden structure, and transmit it to a base station on the Kyoto University campus.
However, if nails or screws are used to join pieces of wood, they will crack due to temperature changes. To prevent this, LignoSat uses a traditional technique called ' hidden dovetail joints ' that assembles wood without using any screws or adhesives.
Takao Doi , a professor at Kyoto University Graduate School and former astronaut who has flown on the space shuttle, commented, 'Metal satellites may be banned in the future.' 'With wood, a material we can produce ourselves, we could build houses, live, and work in space forever.'
A spokesperson for Sumitomo Forestry told foreign media AFP, 'LignoSat will arrive at the ISS shortly and be released into space in about a month.' The deployed LignoSat will remain in orbit for six months to measure how the wooden satellite will withstand the extreme environment of space.
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