When you imagine a satellite, the first thing that comes to mind is the shape of the metallic component that contains electronic circuits inside it.
However, this is simply because most satellites have been manufactured in this way from the beginning, and there is no inherent limitation to using other materials for building satellites.
Therefore, a team of researchers from Japan has conducted experiments to explore the possibility of using another type of material - Magnolia wood - in satellite manufacturing.
A Less Polluted Space Environment
According to a recent press release by Kyoto University in Japan on May 18th, the project, known as "LignoSat," explores the concept of using wood as an outer casing for satellites.
Wood possesses certain advantages over other materials due to its flexibility, strength, and relatively lightweight, making it suitable for space applications.
However, the project also aims to address another issue related to the metallic casing of satellites.
When a satellite reenters the Earth's atmosphere and begins to burn up, fragments of its shell, usually made of aluminum, can break off and remain trapped in orbit without fully burning up in the atmosphere.
Such orbital debris fragments contribute to the growing problem of space pollution caused by the accumulation of space debris.
This can be mitigated by using satellite casings made from different materials, such as wood.
Since wood was once part of a living organism, there is a possibility that it may sustain damage if exposed to harsh environments like the vacuum of space. However, the suitability of wood in such extreme environments has not been tested yet.
Wood is a suitable alternative
Therefore, the researchers of the LignoSat project conducted an experiment by sending wood samples, specifically Magnolia wood, to the International Space Station (ISS) last year for a duration of 290 days.
According to a report published by "Universe Today," various pieces of Magnolia wood, known for its relative flexibility, strength, and sufficient hardness, were left outside the experiment module aboard the ISS and returned to Earth in January.
Subsequently, the researchers subjected these wood samples to a series of material tests. Despite being exposed to radiation for over half a year in space, no deformation, peeling, or surface damage was observed on any of the examined samples.
Furthermore, there was no significant change in the mass of the samples, indicating that wood could provide long-term protection for any internal components of satellites. The researchers continue their efforts to study the recovered samples from the International Space Station to gain a more precise understanding of the nanometer-scale effects of space on wood.
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| There is no inherent limitation to using other materials for building satellites. |
A promising future for wood in space
These promising results mark a significant step towards using wood in satellite manufacturing. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), in collaboration with NASA, plans to launch the LignoSat satellite in 2024, likely utilizing Magnolia wood.
Undoubtedly, this development could open new horizons and bring about a revolutionary change in the field of small satellite manufacturing in the future.
The space industry may witness a shift towards the use of alternative and sustainable materials, enhancing efforts to protect outer space and reduce space debris pollution.