Japan Sends the World's 1st Wooden Satellite to Space! LignoSat to Prove Wood is a Sustainable Space Material

Today In Space

On this week's episode, Alex dives into Japan's Lignosat mission from JAXA!

• LignoSat is a wooden CubeSat launched from the International Space Station on December 13, 2024.
• LignoSat aims to test wood as a sustainable, thermally insulating alternative to traditional space materials like aluminum and titanium.
• Previous research by Kyoto University showed wood's resilience to space conditions over 10 months.
• The mission could reduce orbital debris and environmental impacts of re-entry.

We also recognize the major job changes in the space industry since the start of the year and invite space professionals to network here on Today In Space! Email us at [email protected] if you're interested in sharing your Space Industry story and promote what you're working on next in an episode of People of Science. Here to give you a voice and to share your experience to an awesome space community!

Sources:

https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2313374120 https://www.theguardian.com/science/2024/nov/05/worlds-first-wooden-satellite-launched-into-space https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y3qzd5ql9o https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/watch-spacex-launch-3-tons-of-cargo-to-iss-today https://youtu.be/u1NJmz5m7zY?si=V7BXQ_OdYhRaDmC9

https://digital.wpi.edu/concern/student_works/xp68kh975?locale=en

Keywords:

wooden CubeSat, space material, thermal insulation, sustainably sourced, orbital debris, re-entry safety, space industry changes, job opportunities, material science, environmental impact, space exploration, CubeSat project, space research, wood properties, space innovation

Timestamps:

00:00 Lignosat Mission Overview 01:42 Background and Launch Details 02:26 Space Industry Job Transitions 03:26 Why Wood is a Great Space Material 05:54 Environmental Benefits of Wood in Space 10:15 Challenges and Future Prospects 11:30 NEW 3D Printing Blog is up from AG3D!

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Here's to building a fantastic future - and continued progress in Space (and humanity)! Spread Love, Spread Science

Alex G. Orphanos

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