The first satellite made of wood flew into space. The device was built by Japanese scientists and for the next six months it will move at an altitude of about 400 kilometers above the Earth. The tests are intended to show how the facility will withstand extreme conditions related to pressure changes and temperature fluctuations.
The unusual satellite began its six-month mission on Tuesday. He was taken into space by a SpaceX rocket, launched from the John F. Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The wooden device called LignoSat was made by scientists from Kyoto University, working with Sumitomo Forestry. No glue or screws were used in its construction. The creators claim that this design will allow for ecological and sustainable exploration space.
A new way to explore space
LignoSat is small and fits in the palm of your hand. It was built from a species of magnolia tree – Japanese honoki. Scientists from Kyoto University believe that wood is more durable in space than on Earth because there is no water or oxygen that could cause it to rot or catch fire.
– If we can prove that our first wooden satellite works, we want to present it to Elon Musk's SpaceX, says Takao Doi, an astronaut who flew on the Space Shuttle and studies human activity in space at Kyoto University.
The creators also emphasize that the materials from which LignoSat was made allow for more ecological space exploration. Currently used satellites are usually made of aluminum, which release particles of this element when re-entering the Earth's atmosphere, causing atmospheric pollution – believe the authors of the experiment.
A six-month mission
According to assumptions, the wooden satellite will spend about six months in space. During this time, it will be moving about 400 kilometers above the Earth. During the mission, electronic devices on board LignoSat will measure how wood copes with extreme conditions in space every 45 minutes. These include temperature fluctuations from -100 to 100 degrees Celsius and huge pressure changes.
Once testing is complete, the satellite will burn up in Earth's atmosphere.
Japanese satellite made of woodReuters
Main photo source: Reuters