Japanese Researchers Develop World's First Wooden Satellite Set to Launch in September

Japanese scientists made a wooden satellite called LignoSat. They used magnolia wood and traditional techniques to build it. The satellite is small and cube-shaped, with solar panels and weighs one kilogram. It will be launched into space in September from Florida on a SpaceX rocket. The satellite is an important step for both the space and wood industries. The goal is to explore using wood as a sustainable resource in space habitats on the moon and Mars in the future. The wooden satellite is the first of its kind and measures 10 centimeters on each side. It will be sent to the International Space Station to test its strength and durability. The satellite is expected to burn up completely when it re-enters the Earth's atmosphere, which could help avoid creating harmful metal particles. The developers believe that satellites made of materials other than metal should become more common to protect the environment and telecommunications. In addition to the wooden satellite, a rocket carrying another advanced satellite was launched to study the role of clouds in fighting climate change. The EarthCARE satellite will orbit Earth for three years to gather important data. The wooden satellite project is a significant step towards exploring sustainable materials for space exploration and reducing the environmental impact of space activities.