The International Space Station (ISS) is now home to LignoSat, a small, wooden cube designed to test the resilience of wood in the harsh environment of space. This experiment, developed by Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry, aims to explore sustainable materials for future space construction.
LignoSat, launched aboard SpaceX’s resupply mission, arrived at the ISS on Monday night. The satellite, approximately 4 inches (10.16 centimeters) per side and weighing just over 2 pounds (0.9 kilograms), will be deployed from the station in roughly a month. The primary objective is to evaluate the durability of magnolia wood in space and its potential as a sustainable alternative to traditional satellite materials.
While wood might seem like an unconventional choice for space, it has demonstrated surprising resilience. In a prior experiment, three types of wood were exposed to the extreme conditions outside the ISS for ten months. The results, published in March 2022, revealed that the wood, particularly magnolia, withstood cosmic rays and solar particles without cracking, peeling, warping, or surface damage.
This success led to the development of LignoSat. While not entirely constructed of wood, the satellite incorporates magnolia wood in areas typically made of aluminum. The six-month orbital test will utilize onboard instruments to monitor the wood’s performance in the challenging space environment.
The concept for a wooden satellite originated about four years ago, driven by the need for low-cost, environmentally friendly spacecraft. Unlike metal satellites that can fragment and create space debris or release harmful aluminum upon re-entry, wooden satellites are designed to completely burn up in the Earth’s atmosphere. Another advantage is wood’s transparency to electromagnetic waves, allowing antennas to be housed within the structure.
The potential applications of wood in space extend beyond satellites. Researchers envision its use in constructing habitats on the Moon and Mars. The success of LignoSat’s six-month mission could pave the way for a more sustainable and innovative future in space exploration and construction.
The satellite was sent to the ISS aboard SpaceX’s resupply mission. It will be deployed from the space station in about one month’s time to test its durability in space, and whether wood can be used as an alternative to reduce the amount of waste littering low Earth orbit.
