In a groundbreaking step for sustainable space technology, Japan has launched the world’s first wooden satellite, the LignoSat probe, today. This biodegradable satellite aims to test timber as a viable alternative to traditional materials, marking an early step toward using renewable resources in future space missions.
Developed by Japanese scientists in partnership with Sumitomo Forestry, LignoSat is crafted from magnolia wood, chosen for its strength and durability as a replacement for conventional satellite metals. The palm-sized satellite’s mission is to demonstrate how wood could serve as a low-impact, sustainable material in space.
Takao Doi, a former astronaut and Kyoto University researcher, expressed optimism about the innovation noting that wood’s renewability could support long-term human activity beyond Earth. The LignoSat launch opens doors to the idea of using timber not only for satellites but potentially for constructing sustainable habitats in space, as humanity explores other planets.
