Japanese researchers have launched the world’s first wooden satellite, “LignoSat,” into space on Tuesday, marking a breakthrough in exploring renewable materials for future lunar and Mars missions.
Developed by Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry, LignoSat—a palm-sized satellite made from honoki, a type of magnolia wood—will be flown to the International Space Station (ISS) on a SpaceX mission before being released into orbit about 400 kilometres (250 miles) above Earth.
The satellite’s name derives from the Latin word for “wood,” and it represents an early attempt to demonstrate the potential of timber as a sustainable resource for space exploration. Professor Takao Doi, a former astronaut and space studies researcher at Kyoto University, envisions using wood for structures in space, believing timber could support future habitats on the moon and Mars. “With timber, a material we can produce ourselves, we will be able to build houses, live, and work in space forever,” he said.
