FLORIDA, USA – the world’s first wooden satellite, LignoSat, has launched aboard a SpaceX resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
Developed by scientists at Kyoto University in collaboration with Japanese company Sumitomo Forestry, the small, box-like satellite aims to demonstrate a unique eco-friendly approach to space materials.
Launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the 10-centimeter, cube-shaped satellite promises a fresh solution to environmental concerns associated with space exploration.
LignoSat’s wooden structure is designed to fully burn up upon re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere, thereby avoiding the release of metal particles—a frequent environmental and technical challenge associated with traditional satellite re-entry.
“Satellites that are not made of metal should become mainstream,” said astronaut and Kyoto University professor Takao Doi, who previously highlighted how wooden materials could reshape satellite construction and disposal.
Traditional metal satellites can contribute to harmful metallic particulates in the atmosphere, which are suspected to affect both environmental health and telecommunications systems.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Kyoto University’s Human Spaceology Center confirmed that LignoSat had successfully lifted off and was en route to the ISS.
The satellite, now housed in a specially designed container provided by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, will be released into space approximately one month after its arrival.
Researchers will monitor it for signs of strain to assess the satellite’s performance under the intense conditions of outer space, including extreme temperature fluctuations.
With its minimal environmental footprint, the wooden satellite represents a vision for future satellite designs that align with Earth’s sustainability goals—a move the developers hope will lead to wooden materials becoming a standard in satellite technology.
Developed by scientists at Kyoto University in collaboration with Japanese company Sumitomo Forestry, the small, box-like satellite aims to demonstrate a unique eco-friendly approach to space materials.
Launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the 10-centimeter, cube-shaped satellite promises a fresh solution to environmental concerns associated with space exploration.
LignoSat’s wooden structure is designed to fully burn up upon re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere, thereby avoiding the release of metal particles—a frequent environmental and technical challenge associated with traditional satellite re-entry.
“Satellites that are not made of metal should become mainstream,” said astronaut and Kyoto University professor Takao Doi, who previously highlighted how wooden materials could reshape satellite construction and disposal.
Traditional metal satellites can contribute to harmful metallic particulates in the atmosphere, which are suspected to affect both environmental health and telecommunications systems.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Kyoto University’s Human Spaceology Center confirmed that LignoSat had successfully lifted off and was en route to the ISS.
The satellite, now housed in a specially designed container provided by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, will be released into space approximately one month after its arrival.
Researchers will monitor it for signs of strain to assess the satellite’s performance under the intense conditions of outer space, including extreme temperature fluctuations.
With its minimal environmental footprint, the wooden satellite represents a vision for future satellite designs that align with Earth’s sustainability goals—a move the developers hope will lead to wooden materials becoming a standard in satellite technology.
