NASA and Japan to launch world's 1st wooden satellite in 2024

Politics 20:00 18.02.2024

NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) are planning to launch the world's first wooden satellite into space in a bid to make spaceflight more sustainable, Ednews informs via Space.com.

LignoSat, a coffee mug-size satellite made from magnolia wood, is set to launch into Earth's orbit by summer 2024, according to the space agencies.

Wood doesn't burn or rot in the lifeless vacuum of space, but it will incinerate into a fine ash upon reentry into Earth's atmosphere, making it a surprisingly useful, biodegradable material for future satellites. After successfully testing their wood samples aboard the International Space Station (ISS) earlier this year, the scientists believe the test satellite is fit for launch.

"Three wood specimens were tested and showed no deformation after space exposure," the researchers said in a statement in May. "Despite the extreme environment of outer space involving significant temperature changes and exposure to intense cosmic rays and dangerous solar particles for 10 months, tests confirmed no decomposition or deformations, such as cracking, warping, peeling or surface damage."

To decide which wood to use, the scientists sent three wood samples — magnolia, cherry or birch — to the ISS to be kept in a module that was exposed to space. The researchers settled upon magnolia because it is less likely to split or break during manufacture.

More than 9,300 tons (8,440 metric tons) of space objects — including space junk such as inoperative satellites and chunks of spent rocket stages — currently orbit Earth. But the shiny metals they are made from, such as lightweight titanium and aluminum, increase the overall brightness of the night sky by more than 10% over large parts of the planet, creating ambient light pollution that makes distant space phenomena harder to detect.

Spacecraft made from metal are also expensive and pose a threat to the ISS, other spacecraft carrying humans and — if they're big enough to survive reentry — people on Earth too. Wooden satellites like LignoSat should theoretically be less harmful as space junk, according to the researchers.

IEPF issued a statement regarding Azerbaijani children at the UN Human Rights Council

News line

Rebuilding hope amid the landmines Thembisa Fakude writting...
13:45 07.05.2025
Azerbaijan increases spending on imports from Türkiye
12:24 06.05.2025
Azerbaijani Deaflympic Committee joins International Committee of Sports
12:19 06.05.2025
Prime Minister of Belarus arrives in Fuzuli
12:05 06.05.2025
Azerbaijan to join youth hockey tournament for first time
12:02 06.05.2025
Ilham Aliyev invites Belarus to participate in World Urban Forum to be held in Azerbaijan
11:59 06.05.2025
Cybersecurity conference to be held in Baku
11:56 06.05.2025
Baku to host cybersecurity conference in may
11:52 06.05.2025
Azerbaijan, Italy's Eni mull energy co-op
11:47 06.05.2025
Belarusian prime minister visits Victory Park in Baku
11:43 06.05.2025
Baku hosts discussion of Azerbaijan-Iran relations amid regional processes
11:29 06.05.2025
Deputy FM: Azerbaijan holds great importance for Iran
11:23 06.05.2025
Hungarian companies hold talks with Azerbaijani pharmaceutical manufacturers
11:21 06.05.2025
2,073 people return to Azerbaijan's Khojaly, Aghdara
11:14 06.05.2025
Azerbaijan, Türkiye hail development of cooperation in military education
11:08 06.05.2025
Have scientists solved the mystery of gold’s origin in the universe?
11:04 06.05.2025
Azerbaijani parliamentary delegation visits Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi
10:59 06.05.2025
Scientists develop super strong antibodies for new cancer treatment
10:55 06.05.2025
The Prime Minister of Belarus visited the Alley of Honor
10:42 06.05.2025
Tabriz media published an article about the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev
10:38 06.05.2025
Scientists have made great progress in the fight against tuberculosis
10:32 06.05.2025
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev received the Prime Minister of Belarus
10:25 06.05.2025
The directions and tasks of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have been determined
10:19 06.05.2025
Belarusian government: "A strategic partnership unites us with Azerbaijan"
10:15 06.05.2025
An event dedicated to the 102nd anniversary of Heydar Aliyev's birth was held in Cuba
10:09 06.05.2025
Azerbaijani and Iranian think tanks sign Memorandum of Understanding
10:04 06.05.2025
Heydar Aliyev commemorated in Egypt on his 102nd birthday anniversary
13:02 05.05.2025
Eurovision 2025 commentators from Azerbaijan revealed
12:53 05.05.2025
Imam Mosque in Baku's Amirjan to undergo reconstruction
12:52 05.05.2025
Azerbaijani delegation held discussions on agrarian insurance mechanism in Turkey
12:44 05.05.2025
"Artificial intelligence could replace some government officials"
12:32 05.05.2025
Ambassador: Peace agreement with Yerevan based on Baku's proposals
12:26 05.05.2025
Azerbaijan and Nepal mull cooperation on international platforms
12:17 05.05.2025
Belarusian Prime Minister Alexander Turchin arrives on an official visit to Azerbaijan
12:12 05.05.2025
Hungary and Azerbaijan may cooperate in transport infrastructure
12:08 05.05.2025
25 Azerbaijani wrestlers to participate in international tournament in Turkey
12:02 05.05.2025
Ramin Mammadov visited Vietnam
11:56 05.05.2025
"We expect progress in Vietnam-Azerbaijan relations"
11:47 05.05.2025
Azerbaijani Deputy Samir Sharifov meets with Syria's interim president
11:41 05.05.2025
Green energy corridor biggest project of Hungary and Azerbaijan
11:34 05.05.2025
Hamısı