https://news.sky.com/story/worlds-first-wooden-satellite-heads-to-space-in-mars-exploration-test-13248719

Skip to content
Sky News - back to home sky news logo sky news logo
Watch Live

  * Home
  * UK
  * Politics
  * World
  * US
  * Money
  * Science, Climate & Tech
  * Ents & Arts
  * Programmes
  * Videos
  * Analysis
  * Data & Forensics
  * Offbeat
  * Weather

More

  * Home
  * UK
  * Politics
  * World
  * US
  * Money
  * Science, Climate & Tech
  * Ents & Arts
  * Programmes
  * Videos
  * Analysis
  * Data & Forensics
  * Offbeat
  * Weather

World's first wooden satellite heads to space in Mars exploration
test

Researchers hope the test could pave the way for humans to "build
houses, live and work" in space.

Tuesday 5 November 2024 13:46, UK

Takao Doi. Pic: REUTERS/Irene Wang
Image: Takao Doi. Pic: REUTERS/Irene Wang

  *  
  *  
  *  
  *  

Why you can trust Sky News

The world's first wooden satellite has been launched into space.

The satellite, designed by Japanese researchers, was launched on
Tuesday.

Experts hope to test how timber can be used in the exploration of the
moon and Mars.

LignoSat will be flown to the International Space Station (ISS) on a
SpaceX mission before it's released into Earth's orbit.

Takao Doi, an astronaut who studies human space activities at Kyoto
University, said using renewable materials would allow humans to
"build houses, live and work in space forever".

Aiming to plant trees and build houses from timber on the moon and
Mars in 50 years, Mr Doi's team set about designing the NASA
-certified satellite.

Engineering model of LignoSat. Pic: REUTERS/Irene Wang
Image: Engineering model of LignoSat. Pic: REUTERS/Irene Wang

Wood is a more durable material in space than it is on Earth as
there's no water or oxygen that would rot or inflame it, researchers
say.

The environmental impact of the satellite at the end of its life is
also minimised, burning up in Earth's atmosphere with less pollution
than metal equivalents.

"Metal satellites might be banned in the future," Mr Doi said.

Advertisement

"If we can prove our first wooden satellite works, we want to pitch
it to Elon Musk's SpaceX."

Follow Sky News on WhatsApp
Follow Sky News on WhatsApp

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by
following Sky News

Tap here

LignoSat is made of honoki, a kind of magnolia tree native to Japan,
and has been made using a traditional Japanese technique without
screws or glue.

The satellite will stay in orbit for six months once it's deployed.

Read more from Sky News:
Woman who abducted and assaulted girl, 14, jailed
Taylor Swift shares new US election message

 

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

[ui-app-pro] [ui-app-pro]
[apple-touc]

Kenji Kariya, a manager at the Sumitomo Forestry Tsukuba Research
Institute said: "It may seem outdated, but wood is actually
cutting-edge technology as civilisation heads to the moon and Mars.

"Expansion to space could invigorate the timber industry."

Related Topics

  * Japan


Sky News footer

  * YouTube
  * Facebook
  * X
  * TikTok
  * Instagram
  * LinkedIn
  * WhatsApp

About Sky News

  * About Us
  * Sky News Profiles
  * Sky News International
  * Sky News Library Sales
  * Site Map
  * Editorial Guidelines
  * Sky News Board

Sky News Services

  * Sky News RSS
  * Sky News For Your Phone
  * Sky News Radio

Sky Channels

  * Sky Witness
  * Sky Atlantic
  * Sky Arts
  * Sky Cinema
  * Sky Sports

More Sky Sites

  * NOW
  * Sky Zero
  * Sky Academy Studios
  * Bigger Picture
  * Sky Group
  * Sky Bet
  * Sky.com
  * Sky News Arabia
  * Advertise With Us

  * Terms & Conditions
  * Privacy & Cookies
  * Privacy Options
  * Accessibility
  * Contact Us

Sky.com Homepage (c) 2024 Sky UK