LignoSat

Current Context : Japan Launches World’s First Wooden Satellite crafted from magnolia wood to combat space debris.

• Aim : to reduce space debris by burning up completely upon re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere.
• It is a collaborative effort between Kyoto University and the logging company Sumitomo Forestry.
• LignoSat is scheduled to launch on a SpaceX rocket from the Kennedy Space Centre in September.

ABOUT LIGNOSAT

• “ligno” is the Latin word for wood and “satellite”, is the result of approximately four years of collaborative research.
• Objective : is to leverage the eco-friendliness and cost-effectiveness of wood in space exploration.
• Material used : Magnolia wood is chosen for its durability and adaptability.
• LignoSat, a 10-centimetre cube, comprises 4- to 5.5-millimeter-thick magnolia wood panels, complemented by a frame partially crafted from aluminum.
• It is equipped with solar panels attached to select sides and it weighs approximately 1 kilogram.