The Japanese have sent a wooden LignoSat satellite into space

Space research is often perceived as high-tech and innovative. But Japanese scientists have demonstrated that progress is not always about new technologies.

Here's What We Know

A team from Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry has sent the first wooden satellite into orbit as part of a SpaceX mission.

The satellite will be delivered to the International Space Station before being placed into orbit at an altitude of about 400 kilometres above Earth.

The satellite is named LignoSat after the Latin word lignum for "wood". It is small in size and fits in the palm of a person's hand.

The purpose of this launch is to study the impact of the space environment on wooden objects. The creators of LignoSat believe that the life of wood in space is more durable because there is no water or oxygen there, which cause wood to rot or burn on Earth. They believe it is potentially possible to build houses out of wood in space.

Plus, a satellite made of wood would burn up completely in the Earth's atmosphere after its lifetime and leave no space debris behind.

The LignoSat satellite is made from the Honoki plant, which was previously used to make sword sheaths. Inside the wooden body are electronic sensors that will measure the impact of extreme space conditions on the device.

Source: Reuters