World's first wooden satellite launched to ISS; Here's why

LignoSat , the world’s first wooden satellite , a small Japanese spacecraft, arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) today (Nov. 5) aboard a SpaceX Dragon cargo capsule. Created by Kyoto University and Japanese homebuilding company Sumitomo Forestry, LignoSat represents more than just an experiment with alternative materials; it’s a groundbreaking move in space exploration. This compact 10-cm³ satellite, made from honoki magnolia wood , could pave the way for cleaner satellite design and disposal.


The idea to create a satellite using wood first struck Takao Doi, a former NASA astronaut and professor at Kyoto University in 2017, who shared it with his forest scientist colleague Koji Murata. The choice of wood as an alternative material for use in space is supported by many factors. First and foremost, due to the absence of air or water in space, wood is more durable. Furthermore, wood is sustainable and biodegradable, and with space currently littered with defunct satellites, fragments from previous collisions, and discarded rocket parts that are a threat to other active satellites and spacecraft.



Wooden satellites will disintegrate completely upon their entry into the Earth's atmosphere with minimal environmental impact. Metal satellites release aluminum oxide when burning up, which contributes to ozone depletion. Scientists are also hopeful that in addition to environmental advantages, wood can provide shielding from radiation.


For nearly eight months in 2022, Doi and Murata’s team tested three types of wood—honoki (Japanese magnolia), cherry, and birch—to choose the perfect wood for this satellite. During testing, the wood was exposed to extreme cosmic rays, solar radiation, and temperature swings. While all three types performed well, honoki magnolia performed best and showed resistance to cracking under extreme conditions. The satellite was prepared using a traditional Japanese woodworking technique called sashimono, where instead of screws, glue, or nails, the outer casing was constructed using precise joints.



The wood used in LignoSat promises to offer natural protection against the high levels of cosmic radiation in space. If the experiment is successful, the wood's shielding properties could prove to be beneficial in many other fields. The satellite will be released into the harsh environment of space in December. Orbiting approximately 250 miles above Earth, the wood will endure drastic temperature changes ranging from -100°C to 100°C every 45 minutes as it shifts between sunlight and shadow.


In a press briefing on Monday (Nov. 4), Meghan Everett, the deputy chief scientist for NASA's International Space Station program, said that while some might find the concept of wood in space a bit counterintuitive, it is hoped that this research will show how a wooden satellite could be more sustainable and less polluting for the environment than traditional satellites.