World’s first wooden satellite launched to help reduce space debris

The world’s first wooden satellite, LignoSat, has been launched by scientists at Kyoto University in partnership with Sumitomo Forestry, a Japanese logging and processing company, the Guardian reported.

The small experimental satellite, each side measuring 10cm, was launched aboard a SpaceX rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Designed to test the viability of timber as a satellite material, LignoSat will be deployed into space from the International Space Station next month.

The use of wood could significantly reduce the creation of space debris, as wooden materials are expected to burn up completely upon re-entry, avoiding the release of harmful metal particles into Earth’s atmosphere.

Researchers said they will study data from LignoSat to evaluate its durability in extreme temperatures, hoping this innovation could reshape the future of sustainable space exploration.