Green Space Age

Sustainability and eco-friendly approaches are gaining increasing importance in space exploration.

Researchers have introduced the world’s first wooden satellite, LignoSat. Developed in collaboration between Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry, LignoSat marks a new chapter in this field. The project, set to launch in September 2024, aims to explore the potential of wood as a sustainable material in space.

LignoSat is designed as a cube approximately 10 cm in size, covered entirely with panels made from magnolia wood. These panels are assembled using a special technique that reflects the intricacies of Japanese wood joinery, requiring no adhesives or metal fasteners. The satellite also features an aluminum frame, solar panels, circuit boards, and sensors. These sensors are planned to evaluate stress, temperature, geomagnetic forces, and cosmic radiation on the wood, as well as receive and transmit radio signals.

Traditional satellite construction materials like aluminum and carbon fiber have environmental impacts due to their energy-intensive production processes and limited recyclability. Wood, however, is a renewable resource with a lower carbon footprint. Using wood can reduce the carbon emissions associated with satellite production and promote the use of sustainable materials in space.

But is wood strong enough to withstand the challenges of space?

Simulated space conditions in laboratories and year-long experiments on the International Space Station (ISS) have shown that wood degrades minimally. The absence of oxygen and decomposers in space is a key reason for this durability.

Although wood is flammable, it is resilient to the harsh conditions of space and does not block radio waves, making it an ideal coating material for communication equipment.

This wooden marvel not only breaks conventions but also contributes to the fight against space debris. Traditional satellites create a rain of small metal particles upon reentry, polluting the atmosphere. In contrast, LignoSat burns cleanly, leaving behind only water vapor and carbon dioxide.

With over 2,000 spacecraft expected to be launched annually in the coming years, the aluminum released into the upper atmosphere during their reentry could soon become a significant environmental issue.

The success of LignoSat could change the game in space research. Wood’s natural radiation protection and insulation properties make it an attractive option for future space habitats.

Dr. Takao Doi and his team from Kyoto University are discussing ideas such as building domes out of wood for shelters on the Moon and growing forests on Mars. This offers a sustainable and renewable alternative for space colonists who, like all pioneers, will have to make use of local materials.

LignoSat will be managed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and transported to the ISS in September 2024, with an orbital launch planned for November. If the satellite performs well during its operation in orbit, wood could become a viable construction material for more satellites.

Challenges remain, however. Researchers need to verify the long-term structural integrity of wood and the impact of space radiation on its mechanical properties. Despite these hurdles, if the project succeeds, it could pave the way for using biodegradable materials in satellites, reducing space debris, and supporting eco-friendly space applications.

This project points the way to the green satellites and space structures of the future, taking us on a sustainable journey to the stars. The future of wood in space is bright, and this innovative step allows space research to advance not only technologically but also ecologically.