This September could see the globe ’s first wooden planet launch to space , thanks to scientists in Japan . If it ’s succesful , it could open door for more environmentally friendly satellite reentries , something that is increasingly of import with the raise of physical object being send to – and return to Earth from – space .
research worker at the University of Kyoto together with the logging company Sumitomo Forestry have develop what is likely going to be the first deployed wooden satellite . The mission , part of the LignoStella Space Wood Project , build on previous study of the property of wood in space and seeks to adress the emergence of traditional planet that deposit harmful alloy particles in Earth ’s aura when they bite up on reentry .
The mission will see a lowly cube artificial satellite made ofHoonoki , a type of Magnolia Mrs. Henry Wood , send to the International Space Station ( ISS ) where it will then be deployed into low - dry land orbit . The wood has been selected following a240 - Clarence Day - long testof different types of Sir Henry Wood on the ISS .
The goal is to demonstrate that replacing the traditional aluminum with wood is a sustainable approach to get satellite , which will combust up more well in Earth ’s standard atmosphere .
The amount of quad rubble in reach is increase survey the massive increase in private satellites such as SpaceX ’s Starlink megaconstellation . The hazard of space aim not bite up through the atmosphere has storm up with the gain in falling infinite debris onto civilian property in the last few years , include a piece of a cast away cargo palette from the ISS conk throughthe cap of a housein Florida and a slice of a SpaceX arugula landing ona farmin Canada just this year . Wood would decidedly serve prevent that .
It ’s not the first proposed wooden planet . TheWISA Woodsatwas supposed to have launched in 2021 but it did not take flight for unclear reasons . But using wood might truly be a path onwards . The ISS exam show that despite the utmost environment of space , wood does n’t seem to be majorly regard by it . There was no cracking , warp , peeling , or aerofoil damage .
The development of such a space vehicle is very exciting , and researchers will study how it holds up in space once deployed , peculiarly looking at how the wood expand and contracts , degrades , and protects the electronic equipment . If it performs well , other applications – including future human habitat in space – might be conceive .
