The number of satellites orbiting Earth is constantly growing. Until now, these satellites have been made entirely of metal, making them environmentally unfriendly. Once their mission is complete and they re-enter the atmosphere, they burn up, releasing harmful substances like aluminum oxide particles. Additionally, the debris they leave behind contributes to space junk, which can cause unexpected accidents.

Why Wood?

Researchers are exploring the use of wood to build satellites. Wood is a sustainable and environmentally friendly material that burns completely upon re-entering the atmosphere, leaving no harmful residue or space debris, unlike metals.

Moreover, wood is surprisingly durable in space, unlike on Earth where it can easily decompose, rot, or burn. However, these processes cannot occur in the vacuum of space where there is no oxygen.

In November 2024, Japan launched the world’s first wooden satellite, LignoSat, made from magnolia wood and weighing only 900 grams. Its mission is to test how wood responds to the conditions of space, such as extreme temperature changes and radiation. Similar projects are under development, such as “Wisa Woodsaat” in Finland, which is awaiting launch.

Since wood is lighter than metal, its successful use in satellites could pave the way for broader applications in space exploration. This could lead to reduced costs and open up new avenues for innovation in space technology.