World’s First Wooden Satellite Launched into Space on SpaceX Mission
Kyoto, Japan – In a groundbreaking development, the world’s inaugural wooden satellite successfully launched aboard a SpaceX rocket as part of a resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS), announced its Japanese creators on Tuesday.
Developed by scientists at Kyoto University, the satellite, dubbed LignoSat, is designed to burn up upon re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere. This innovative approach aims to reduce the production of metal fragments that can pose environmental risks and disrupt telecommunications when decommissioned satellites descend to Earth.
Measuring just 10 centimeters (about four inches) on each side, the box-shaped prototype was deployed aboard an unmanned rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. According to a statement from Kyoto University’s Human Spaceology Center, LignoSat has “flown safely into space.”
A representative from Sumitomo Forestry, a co-developer of LignoSat, confirmed the launch’s success and noted that the satellite is expected to reach the ISS shortly. It is scheduled to be released into outer space around a month later for further experimentation on its strength and durability.
Researchers will monitor data sent from LignoSat to evaluate its ability to endure extreme temperature fluctuations and stress. Takao Doi, an astronaut and special professor at Kyoto University, emphasized during a press conference earlier this year that “satellites that are not made of metal should become the standard in the future.”
This pioneering venture marks a significant step towards sustainable space solutions, potentially revolutionizing the materials used in satellite technology.
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