The world’s first wood-panelled satellite has been launched into space to test the potential of timber as a sustainable building material for future space exploration, particularly to destinations like the Moon and Mars.
Developed by researchers in Japan, the small satellite, named LignoSat, weighs just 900 grams and is en route to the International Space Station aboard a SpaceX mission. After reaching the ISS, it will be released into Earth’s orbit. Kyoto University forest science professor Koji Murata explained to Reuters, “Wood is more durable in space than on Earth because there is no water or oxygen to cause decay or combustion.” He also noted that early 20th-century airplanes were made from wood, suggesting that a wooden satellite could be just as viable.
The research team hopes that if trees are someday grown on the Moon or Mars, wood could become a key resource for building colonies in space.
In addition to its wood panels, LignoSat features traditional aluminum structures and electronic components. Equipped with sensors, the satellite will monitor how the wood performs in space’s harsh environment over its six-month orbit.
The panels are crafted from magnolia wood using a traditional technique that avoids screws or glue, aligning with the satellite’s sustainable design. Kyoto University researchers are optimistic that one day wood might replace some metals in space exploration, offering a renewable alternative.
Dr. Simeon Barber, a space scientist at the Open University in the UK, emphasized that while the satellite is not entirely made of wood, the concept is intriguing. “Wood is a renewable material that can be grown,” he said. “The idea of growing wood on another planet to aid exploration or to build shelters is exciting—explorers have always used wood for shelter in new lands.”
Dr. Barber also pointed out that wood has been used in spacecraft before, such as cork, which helps protect vehicles during re-entry. “Using wood in space isn’t a new idea,” he explained. “It’s all about using the right material for the right task.”
However, he noted that wood can be difficult to work with in engineering applications due to its unpredictable properties. “It’s challenging to predict how strong wood will be, making it tricky for critical spacecraft structures.”
The Kyoto University team also hopes that using wood in space could reduce the environmental impact of space exploration. Metal spacecraft often burn up upon re-entry, releasing pollutants. As concerns over space debris grow, LignoSat’s potential to reduce harmful emissions could be a step toward more sustainable space missions.
While Dr. Barber acknowledged the potential environmental benefits of using wood in spacecraft, he expressed some skepticism. “While wood could reduce metallic contaminants during re-entry, we may end up taking more material with us, only to burn it up later,” he noted.
Nonetheless, LignoSat represents a bold experiment that could one day reshape the materials used in space exploration, advancing sustainability while broadening humanity’s reach beyond Earth.
