World’s first wooden satellite, developed in Japan, heads to space
NBCNOV 12 2024
The palm-sized satellite, made from hinoki magnolia wood using traditional Japanese crafting techniques without screws or glue, will orbit approximately 250 miles above Earth for a six-month testing period.Japanese researchers from Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry launched LignoSat, the world's first wooden satellite, aboard a SpaceX mission to the International Space Station.
Scientists selected hinoki wood after a 10-month experiment aboard the International Space Station, noting its durability in space due to the absence of water and oxygen that typically cause decay.The palm-sized satellite, made from hinoki magnolia wood using traditional Japanese crafting techniques without screws or glue, will orbit approximately 250 miles above Earth for a six-month testing period.
The satellite will measure wood's endurance in extreme space conditions, where temperatures fluctuate between -100 and 100 degrees Celsius every 45 minutes during orbit transitions.Scientists selected hinoki wood after a 10-month experiment aboard the International Space Station, noting its durability in space due to the absence of water and oxygen that typically cause decay.
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