Scientists at Kyoto University and logging company Sumitomo Forestry have created the world’s first wooden satellite, LignoSat, set to launch into space in September. This tiny cuboid craft, measuring just four inches on each side, is made from magnolia wood and is expected to burn up completely upon re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere. The team behind this project is concerned about the negative impact of metal particles on the environment and telecommunications. They hope that introducing non-metal satellites as a mainstream alternative will help mitigate these concerns.
The Japanese space agency JAXA will take possession of LignoSat next week and launch it into space aboard a SpaceX rocket from the Kennedy Space Center. After reaching the International Space Station (ISS), the satellite will be released from the Japanese ISS experiment module to undergo tests of its strength and durability. Data collected from LignoSat will be sent back to researchers for evaluation of its performance under various conditions.
Meanwhile, another rocket carrying the EarthCARE satellite was launched from California on a mission to study the role of clouds in climate change. The EarthCARE satellite is set to orbit nearly 250 miles above Earth for three years, gathering crucial data about Earth’s atmosphere and climate.
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