For the first occasion, a made-of-wood satellite soared into space.
A tiny cuboid craft constructed from magnolia timber is set for a journey to the International Space Station (ISS), where it will be unleashed into the vacuum of space to gauge its resilience under extreme conditions. Scientists are optimistic that this experiment could open doors for the utilization of eco-friendly materials in space infrastructure construction.
SatWood, a timber-based satellite manufactured by researchers at Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry, took off towards the ISS on Monday night, as part of SpaceX's cargo delivery mission. Scheduled for deployment from the space station in approximately a month, this cuboid will undergo rigorous testing to assess its resilience in the harsh space environment. The objective is to ascertain whether wood can serve as a viable alternative to minimize waste accumulation in low Earth orbit.
Wood is not typically associated with materials capable of surviving space. However, it has shown some remarkable resilience beyond Earth's atmosphere, and it might even possess certain advantages for spacecraft construction over traditional materials. In March 2022, researchers from SatWood exposed three variants of wood to the perilous environment outside the ISS for a duration of ten months, and observed that the material remained unaffected by the surrounding cosmic rays and solar particles. The tested wood samples did not crack, peel, warp, or sustain any structural damage after spending almost a year in the brutal conditions of low Earth orbit. Magnolia wood proved to be the most robust among the three types of wood tested.
The results of this orbital experiment laid the groundwork for SatWood's launch. The craft measures approximately 4 inches (10.16 cm) on each side and weighs slightly over 2 pounds (0.9 kg). To maintain its structural integrity, it incorporates aluminum components in areas typically constructed from metal.
Upon deployment, SatWood will begin a six-month trial period in low Earth orbit, during which onboard instruments will monitor the magnolia wood's performance under extreme conditions.
The concept for using wood in spacecraft construction was first proposed about four years ago, as a low-cost solution to combat the escalating issue of space debris. Satellites predominantly made of wood would disintegrate upon re-entry into Earth's atmosphere, avoiding the formation of smaller debris fragments or the release of toxic substances like aluminum. An additional benefit is that wooden satellites would not interfere with electromagnetic waves, allowing the antennas to be housed inside the wooden body instead of on the exterior.
Moreover, the researchers at Kyoto University envision wood's applications extending beyond satellites. They propose that wood could be utilized to construct other space structures, such as lunar and Martian habitats. Let's hope that wood proves its mettle during its initial six-month sojourn in space.
The successful launch of SatWood signifies a potential future where eco-friendly materials like wood are utilized in space infrastructure construction. With its resilience proven in the harsh conditions of low Earth orbit, wood could serve as a sustainable alternative to traditional space materials.
This breakthrough in space technology could lead to significant advancements in science, enabling the construction of environmentally friendly spacecraft and habitats, such as those on the moon and Mars.
