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LignoSat: The First Artificial Wood Satellite Ready to Orbit

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• Scientists from the U.S. and Japan will launch a magnolia satellite on a mission to explore sustainable materials in space.

In an unprecedented breakthrough for space sustainability, a team of scientists from Kyoto University, in collaboration with NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), is preparing to launch the world's first artificial wood satellite.

Dubbed LignoSat, this coffee-cup-sized satellite promises to be an eco-friendly alternative to the aluminum satellites currently populating Earth's orbit.

After successful tests on the International Space Station (ISS) showing minimal deterioration of space wood, the research team selected magnolia for its strength and stability. This material not only withstands the extreme conditions of space but also turns to ash upon re-entry, potentially helping combat the growing problem of space debris.

Koji Murata, a researcher at Kyoto University, highlights that wood does not face the same issues in space as on Earth—such as combustion or decay—due to the absence of oxygen and living organisms. Additionally, its weight resistance is comparable to aluminum, making it a promising candidate for future space applications.

During ISS testing, magnolia, along with other woods like cherry and birch, was exposed to extreme conditions without showing deformations or significant changes. These results were crucial in confirming magnolia's viability as the material for LignoSat.

Despite theoretical advantages, wooden space structures still pose unknowns. Tatsuhito Fujita, a JAXA engineer, notes that while using natural resources is encouraging from a sustainable development perspective, much remains to be learned about wood's specific benefits in space.

With LignoSat's launch scheduled for next summer, scientists will continue studying the material's nanoscale degradation and performance in space. This satellite could pave the way for more sustainable space constructions and possibly even spacecraft with wooden interiors offering added protection against harmful radiation.

The world eagerly awaits the results of this mission, which could mark a turning point in satellite construction and space exploration. Magnolia, once a symbol of Earth's nature, is about to embark on a journey that may change our relationship with the cosmos.