It may sound more like a backward step rather than a technological advance, but researchers at Kyoto University, Japan have made a functioning satellite (LignoSat) using wood as one of the main structural components. It's only 12 cm cube, fit in one hand.

This is not the first time that wood has been used, in 192, NASA’s Ranger 3 lunar probe had a balsawood frame. Balsawood being known as a surprisingly light material.

Turns Out Wood Is An Excellent Material For Use In Space.

After a year of testing in labs that recreated space conditions, magnolia was found to be the best choice. A few pieces of the wood were sent to the International Space Station (ISS) for further testing. Turns out wood is an excellent material for use in space. Radio waves pass through it allowing communication antenna to be housed internally. Wood appears to resist the rigours of space very well, doesn't split or deform.

The sole purpose of LignoSat is to test how well using wood will work in space. After six months in orbit, it will fall back to Earth and burn up in the atmosphere. Here lies the reason for the interest in finding alternative construction materials. Currently, there is around 9000 tonnes of satellites in Earth orbit , either functioning or as space junk. Most of that material is metal and when it eventually enters the atmosphere, during combustion polluting particles of aluminium and other metals are released. This can damage the ozone layer that protects us from harmful solar rays. Wood on the other hand emits water and some CO2.

There Is Around 9000 Tonnes Of Satellites In Earth Orbit

With an estimated 2000 satellites per year being launched in the future, there is a need to protect the atmosphere from toxic waste. Using new materials such as wood could alleviate this problem.

About The Author
Urian Udell
Chewells Contributor

Urian is passionate about carbon capture. He is a staunch believer in the continued use of oil... »

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Replies

• Aba Selassie (June 12, 2024)
  Garden shed on the moon next?
• W Marsh (June 5, 2024)
  What will the aliens think of us now!
• Ali (June 4, 2024)
  Why bring this stuff down at all? Leave it up there, then when we need to build stuff on mars or the moon, we can gather up all the dead satellites and use the materials.

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