LignoSat is a small Japanese wooden satellite. It is credited as the world's first satellite to be made of wood.[1][2][3][4]
| Spacecraft properties | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Kyoto University Sumitomo Forestry |
| Dimensions | 10 x 10 x 10 cm |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 02:29, November 5, 2024 (UTC) |
| Rocket | Falcon 9 Block 5 |
| Launch site | Kennedy LC-39A |
| Contractor | SpaceX |
| Deployed from | ISS |
| Deployment date | TBA |
Background
editLignoSat was developed by Kyoto University and logging firm Sumitomo Forestry as a demonstration of using wood for space exploration uses.[4]
The satellite is named after the Latin word for "wood" which is "Ligno". LignoSat is made of wood from honoki, a magnolia tree native in Japan. Wood from the tree is customarily used for sword sheets. The choice of material was determined through a a 10-month experiment aboard the International Space Station. The satellite was assembled through a traditional Japanese crafts technique without screws or glue.[4] It still has some traditional aluminium structures and electronic components.[3]
The satellite is a CubeSat and measures 10 centimetres (3.9 in) on each side[5], and weighs 900 grams (32 oz)[3]
Launch and deployment
editThe satellite was launched to space on November 5, 2024 by SpaceX's Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket inside the uncrewed Cargo Dragon from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida to the International Space Station' LC-39A.[6][7] It was loaded in a special container by the JAXA.[8] It will be deployed into orbit via the Kibō module sometime within month.[5]
References
edit- ^ "World's first wooden satellite launched into space". The Guardian. Agence France-Presse. 5 November 2024. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
- ^ "World's first wooden satellite launched into space". DW News. Deutsche Welle. 5 November 2024. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
- ^ a b c Natarajan, Swaminathan (5 November 2024). "LignoSat: First wood-panelled satellite launched into space". BBC News. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
- ^ a b c Komiya, Kantaro; Wang, Irene (5 November 2024). "World's first wooden satellite, developed in Japan, heads to space". Reuters. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
- ^ a b Wall, Mike (5 November 2024). "World's 1st wooden satellite arrives at ISS for key orbital test". Space.com. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
- ^ Wall, Mike (4 November 2024). "SpaceX launches 3 tons of cargo on 31st ISS resupply flight for NASA (video)". Space.com. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
- ^ "World's first wooden satellite launched into space". Space Daily. 5 November 2024. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
- ^ "京大、世界初の木造人工衛星「LignoSat」打ち上げ". AFP BB (in Japanese). 5 November 2024. Retrieved 6 November 2024.