LIGNOSAT: THE WORLD’S FIRST SATELLITE MADE OF WOOD

Context: The world first satellite with wooden components was
launched aboard a SpaceX rocket from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, United
States, last week. The intention is to establish that wood is a space-grade
material. Built by researchers at Japan’s Kyoto University and the Tokyo-based
logging company Sumitomo Forestry, LignoSat has been flown to the International
Space Station (ISS). In December, it will be released in orbit around 400 km above
the Earth. If successful, the wooden satellite can help make space activity
more environment friendly. It could also lead to the use of timber as a
renewable building material in future exploration of destinations such as the
Moon and Mars.

Key points

·      
Overview: The world's first wooden satellite LignoSat built by
Japanese researchers was launched into space in an early test of using timber
in lunar and Mars exploration.

·      
About: It is developed through collaborative research and
development by a team comprising members from Kyoto University and Sumitomo
Forestry Co. Size: 4 inches (10 cm) on each side. Weight: 900 grams.

·      
Objective: Their objective is to leverage the eco-friendliness
and cost-effectiveness of wood in space exploration. It is tasked to
demonstrate the cosmic potential of the renewable material as humans explore
living in space.

·      
Significance: Wooden satellites are viewed as more environmentally
friendly upon re-entering the Earth's atmosphere at the conclusion of their
mission. Unlike metal satellites, which pose air pollution risks due to the
generation of metal particles during re-entry, wooden satellites mitigate these
concerns.

·      
Environmental
Benefits: Reduced Pollution-
Conventional aluminium satellites can generate aluminium oxides when they burn
up during re-entry, potentially harming the ozone layer.

Sustainability Advantage- By using magnolia wood instead of aluminium, LignoSat aims to be less
polluting when it eventually re-enters Earth’s atmosphere.