Produced by: Tarun Mishra
Japan successfully launched LingoSat, the world's first wooden satellite, in a recent SpaceX mission. Developed by Kyoto University, this satellite will test the potential of timber for space technology.
Designed to burn up completely on re-entry, LingoSat aims to minimize space debris by avoiding metal particles, which can persist as space junk.
LingoSat weighs only 900 grams, making it one of the lightest satellites, and was transported in a specialized container prepared by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
Credit: Kyoto University
Once deployed into Earth’s orbit, LingoSat will spend six months examining how wood, specifically magnolia, endures in space's extreme conditions.
Credit: Kyoto University
Using a traditional Japanese technique, the satellite's magnolia wood panels were crafted without screws or glue, showcasing the adaptability of timber in unique environments.
Credit: Kyoto University
Kyoto University researchers believe wood could replace certain metals in future space missions and might even play a role in building sustainable structures on the Moon or Mars.
According to Professor Koji Murata, wood’s resilience in space may be enhanced by the absence of water and oxygen, which reduces risks of rotting or combustion.
Though the idea of wood in space is not new, with the Soviet Union once using cork on lunar rovers, some experts, like Dr. Simeon Barber, question whether wood can fully address space debris issues, noting that more material may be needed for it to burn up completely on re-entry.
Credit: NASA