Japan has unveiled the world’s first wooden satellite

In Japan, the first version of the LignoSat space satellite, a joint development of Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry, has been unveiled. It is distinguished by its body material, which is wood. Takao Doi, an astronaut and professor at Kyoto University, is confident that such satellites will eventually completely displace vehicles made of other materials.

LignoSat was created with the environment in mind. When entering the atmosphere, satellite bodies made of aluminium and plastic rarely burn completely, and their combustion products pollute the air. A wooden product must burn completely, without a trace, and the resulting soot is not so harmful, as it is of natural origin – the same is formed when wood burns.