World's first wooden satellite LignoSat launched into Earth's orbit
World's first wooden satellite LignoSat launched into Earth's orbit

In a groundbreaking achievement, the world’s first wooden satellite, LignoSat, has been launched into Earth's orbit. Developed collaboratively by Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry, this innovative satellite is constructed from 10 cm-long hinoki magnolia wood panels. Uniquely, it employs a traditional Japanese wood-joinery technique, eliminating the need for screws or glue. LignoSat weighs approximately 900 grams.
The Journey to Space
LignoSat was sent into orbit alongside five CubeSats in December 2024. Before its launch, the satellite was transported to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard a SpaceX Dragon cargo capsule. It now orbits Earth at an altitude of 400 km, where it will conduct groundbreaking experiments on the viability of wood as a sustainable material in space exploration.
Pioneering Sustainable Space Technology
Unlike conventional satellites, which rely on materials like aluminum, titanium, and Teflon thermoplastics, LignoSat's wooden design offers a sustainable alternative. Over its space journey, the satellite will endure extreme temperature shifts ranging from -100°C to 100°C every 45 minutes. These conditions will test the wood's resistance to temperature fluctuations and radiation, providing insights into its potential for future applications in space, including lunar and Mars missions.
Vision for Space Habitats
Takao Doi, an astronaut and human space activity researcher at Kyoto University, highlighted the long-term vision for timber in space exploration. “With timber, a material we can produce ourselves, we will be able to build houses, live, and work in space forever,” he explained.
This experiment marks a significant step toward eco-friendly technologies in space, exploring the potential of wood as a material that could redefine how humanity builds and lives beyond Earth.