GabyThe ecological satellite LignoSat resembles a toy that has been taken out of a box of wooden blocks.
It was created by researchers from Kyoto University and the logging company Sumitomo Forestry. The scientists’ goal is to build a spacecraft from biodegradable materials, such as wood, and to determine whether it can serve as an environmentally friendly alternative to metals. Until now, all satellites have been made from metals.
The LignoSat probe, the size of a coffee cup, is made from magnolia wood. In experiments conducted on the International Space Station (ISS), this material has proven its stability and resistance to cracking. The team of scientists is currently finalizing preparations for the device’s launch, which could take place as early as this summer.
Although there is no final decision yet regarding the launch vehicle, it is possible that a summer launch of the wooden one may occur. satellite The cargo supply ship Orbital Sciences Cygnus will be canceled for some reason. In that case, LignoSat will launch into orbit a bit later on the SpaceX Dragon ship.
Tiny A wooden satellite will protect the environment.
“All satellites that re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere burn up and create tiny particles of alumina that will float in the upper layers of the atmosphere for many years,” said Takao Doi, a Japanese astronaut, co-developer, and PhD in space engineering.
To solve this problem, Kyoto researchers first tested various types of wood, including cherry wood. They preferred to find a type of wood that would best withstand the harsh conditions of space, the publication reported. The Guardian The team conducted the first tests in laboratories that replicated these conditions. Researchers were surprised to find that samples of different types of wood showed no significant changes in mass or signs of decay or damage.
Space debris in low Earth orbit
“The tree’s ability to withstand these conditions amazed us,” said project leader Koji Murata.
Then these wood samples were sent to the ISS. There, astronauts subjected them to exposure tests for about a year, after which they were returned to Earth. Once again, there was no damage to them. Koji Murata explained this by the fact that there is no oxygen in space that could cause the wood to burn. Additionally, there are no living organisms that could threaten the samples with decay.
Of all the tree species, magnolia turned out to be the strongest. It was used to create the world’s first wooden satellite, LignoSat. Soon, it will undergo a series of experiments that will demonstrate how well it performs. spacecraft It will operate in orbit, Mr. Murata noted.
Can wood replace metal in satellites?
The next step for the researchers will be to find an answer to this question. “One of the satellite’s tasks is to measure the deformation of wooden structures in space. Wood is durable and stable in one direction, but it can be prone to changes in size and cracking in another direction,” explained the project leader.
LignoSat is expected to operate in space for at least six months before being allowed to enter the upper layers of the atmosphere.
If the device performs well while operating in orbit, then it will be possible to discuss the further use of wood as a building material for satellites. According to experts’ forecasts, more than 2,000 spacecraft will be launched from Earth each year in the near future. The aluminum they leave in the upper layers of the atmosphere during burning will create increasingly more environmental problems.
Recent research by scientists from the University of British Columbia (Canada) has shown that aluminum left behind by satellites causes serious depletion of the ozone layer. This layer is what protects the Earth from ultraviolet radiation.
However, the situation may change if satellites like LignoSat replace metal ones. After completing their mission, they will produce only small biodegradable ash emissions.
