Japanese scientists from Kyoto University have created the world's first satellite made of wood. LignoSat, as it is called, marks a new era in space technology, combining environmental friendliness with cost-effectiveness. Smartpress.by reports this with reference to The Guardian.
LignoSat is built from magnolia wood, which tests on the ISS have shown to be exceptionally resistant to cracking in the harsh environment of space.
The wooden probe is designed to solve two important problems. Firstly, it will significantly reduce the cost of satellite production, because wood is an accessible and cheap material. Secondly, LignoSat will be a step towards cleaner space exploration. Burning up when returning to the atmosphere, it will not pollute it with aluminum particles, as traditional satellites do.
The launch of the wooden satellite is scheduled for the summer of 2024. It is expected to operate in orbit for at least six months.