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First Wooden Satellite in the World Survived 116 Days in Space but Failed to Send Data; New Mission is Already Being Prepared
A wooden satellite spent 116 days in Earth’s orbit. Launched by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), LignoSat was the first wooden satellite in history. The structure was created by a group from Kyoto University in partnership with Sumitomo Forestry.
The project was led by former astronaut Takao Doi, who is now a professor at Ryukoku University. Inspired by Kyoto’s wooden temples, Doi dreams of seeing the use of wood in space as a symbol of sustainability.
According to him, it is possible to create sustainable space development with this type of material.
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A Wooden CubeSat
The LignoSat is a CubeSat, a type of mini-satellite. It was built with magnolia wood and used traditional carpentry techniques.
The structure also included aluminum reinforcements. Wood was chosen for being renewable and causing less pollution when re-entering the atmosphere.
The satellite was launched on December 9, 2024, directly from the International Space Station (ISS). The mission lasted 116 days. During this period, the satellite remained intact in space.
LignoSat had five main objectives: to measure stress on the wooden structure, verify internal temperature, test the magnetic permeability of the wood, evaluate the effects of space radiation, and establish communication with Earth. However, no data was received by scientists in Kyoto.
Communication Failure
Doi’s team was unable to communicate with the satellite. Preliminary analysis suggests two possible causes: failure in the activation switches of the system or error in the computer program. “Unfortunately, we did not receive any of the information we wanted to know,” said Doi.
Despite this, the project made advancements. First, LignoSat proved that a wooden structure can survive in space.
Second, the mission facilitated NASA’s review processes for future wooden satellites. This should accelerate subsequent launches.
The Next Step: LignoSat-2
With the lessons learned, the team plans to launch LignoSat-2 in 2028. The new satellite will be double the size of the first and will feature two communication systems.
One of them will be located inside the structure. The aim is to avoid new problems like those encountered in the first mission.
The internal installation of the antenna also reduces drag while the satellite orbits the Earth. If the main antenna fails, the internal system will allow for communication.
Wood Beyond Japan
The idea is not limited to Japan. The Finnish company Arctic Astronautics is also working with wood in space.
In partnership with UPM Plywood, they created WISA Woodsat, a CubeSat made from birch plywood.
The Finnish satellite has sensors and a deployable camera, allowing the team to visually monitor it in space. “We want to fly as soon as possible,” said Jari Mäkinen, co-founder of Arctic Astronautics. The launch depends on approval from Finland’s space authorities.
Sustainability in Orbit
For Doi, wooden CubeSats are just the beginning. He aims to boost a true “wooden space industry.” On his account on platform X (formerly Twitter), the team summarizes the goal: to create a space industry based on wood.
Besides being cheaper, wood is lightweight and easy to work with. It can make space exploration more accessible to countries with limited resources. Its environmental impact is less than that of aluminum, which is currently used in satellites.
Aluminum satellites generate aluminum oxide particles upon re-entry into the atmosphere. These residues can affect the ozone layer, alter atmospheric processes, and even interfere with Earth’s magnetic field. On the other hand, wood produces carbon dioxide, water vapor, and biodegradable ash.
Researcher Raphaela Günther from the Technical University of Dresden says that the products of wood combustion are easier to study and evaluate.
According to her, the re-entry of objects is not yet a serious environmental issue, but the increasing number of satellites makes the use of more eco-friendly materials urgent.
Technical Challenges
Not everything is advantages. Wood presents challenges for engineers. As a natural material, it has internal variations.
This makes it difficult to predict its behavior, as its properties change depending on the direction of the applied force.
Günther is working on new materials made from wood fibers combined with binders to ensure more uniformity. She believes that using sustainable materials is not an option, but a necessity.
Mäkinen also sees potential in wood but believes that large companies will still resist. They have invested heavily in current processes with metals.
A change will only occur if there is incentive from space authorities. “I hope I am wrong,” he said.
Despite the communication failure, LignoSat represented a milestone for space science. The structure survived in orbit, proved that wood can be used in space, and opened the way for new technologies with a lower environmental impact. Now, the Japanese team continues to work on LignoSat-2, expected for 2028.
With information from ZME Science.
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