Japanese wooden satellite to test durability in space from ISS

JAPAN, May 29: Japanese researchers have constructed the world's first wooden satellite, a tiny cuboid craft set to be launched on a SpaceX rocket this September. Developed by scientists at Kyoto University and logging company Sumitomo Forestry, the experimental satellite measures just 10 centimeters (four inches) per side.

Named LignoSat and made from magnolia wood, the satellite aims to burn up completely upon re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere. This feature could potentially prevent the generation of harmful metal particles, which can impact the environment and telecommunications.

"Satellites that are not made of metal should become mainstream," stated Takao Doi, an astronaut and special professor at Kyoto University, during a press conference on Tuesday. The researchers plan to hand over LignoSat to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) next week.

Scheduled for a September launch from the Kennedy Space Center, the satellite will be sent into space aboard a SpaceX rocket destined for the International Space Station (ISS). Once at the ISS, it will be released from the Japanese experiment module to test its strength and durability.

"Data will be sent from the satellite to researchers who can check for signs of strain and whether the satellite can withstand huge temperature changes," a Sumitomo Forestry spokesperson told AFP on Wednesday.

In related news, a separate rocket carrying a sophisticated satellite, a collaboration between the European Space Agency (ESA) and JAXA, launched from California on Tuesday. This mission, involving the EarthCARE satellite, aims to investigate the role clouds play in combating climate change. The EarthCARE satellite will orbit nearly 400 kilometers (250 miles) above Earth for three years.