LignoSat Wooden Satellite (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Recently scientists have developed the satellite named LignoSat.

LignoSat Wooden Satellite

• About: It is the world's first wooden satellite.
• Developed by: Japan through a collaboration between Kyoto University and the logging company Sumitomo Forestry.
• Aim: The aim is to test the idea of using wood as an eco-friendly alternative to metal-based satellites, as wood would burn completely upon re-entry into Earth's atmosphere.
• Measuring Deformation: The satellite is designed to measure the deformation of the wooden structure in space.
• Size: LignoSat is a cube that measures 10 centimetres on each side.
• Material: The satellite is made from timber, specifically magnolia wood.

o Magnolia wood is highly sought-after for its striking coloration and fine grain.

• Significance: Laboratory tests found magnolia wood to be particularly stable and resistant to cracking.
• Space Durability: In space, there is no oxygen to cause the wood to burn and no living creatures to cause it to rot.
• Future Prospects: If LignoSat succeeds in orbit, wood could become a material for future satellites, with over 2,000 spacecraft expected to launch annually.