The first wood-panel satellite, LignoSat is on a SpaceX mission to the International Space Station (ISS) where it will test the durability of wood in space.
Built by Japanese researchers from Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry, the satellite weighs about two pounds and is primarily made from magnolia wood, assembled without screws or glue.
The goal of the project is to explore the potential of using renewable materials like wood in space exploration, offering a more sustainable alternative to materials like aluminum.
If successful, wood could be used in space missions, potentially for building structures or shelters on other planets, aligning with the long history of explorers using wood for construction.
Additionally, using wood in space could reduce pollutants entering Earth’s atmosphere.
