The world’s first wooden satellite, LignoSat, has been deployed from the International Space Station (ISS) as part of a mission to explore how renewable wood materials withstand space conditions. The satellite is part of an experiment to assess the potential of using sustainable materials in spacecraft design, aiming to reduce the environmental impact of satellite reentries.

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• LignoSat, the world’s first wooden satellite, was deployed from the ISS to test wood’s durability in space.
• The satellite, made from magnolia wood, was built by Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry.
• LignoSat is a 1U cubesat, measuring 4 inches (10 cm) on each side, and will remain in space for about six months.
• The mission will study how the wooden satellite handles temperature extremes and high radiation levels in near-Earth space.
• LignoSat faces extreme temperature fluctuations, from 250°F (121°C) in the sun to -250°F (-157°C) in Earth’s shadow.
• Materials in space often degrade under such conditions, but traditional spacecraft materials like aluminum alloys create harmful metallic dust when burning up on reentry.
• LignoSat’s success could lead to eco-friendly satellites, reducing climate-altering pollution from satellite reentries.
• The satellite will also be tested for interference from geomagnetic fields and the impact on its technology.
• Launched on Nov. 5, 2024, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, LignoSat was deployed from Japan’s JAXA Kibo module in December.
• The space industry is increasingly concerned about the environmental impact of rising satellite numbers, with aluminum oxides contributing to ozone depletion and altering thermal balance.