Mission reports from Kyoto University or Sumitomo Forestry, or announcements from SpaceX

Japan Launches World's First Wooden Satellite, LignoSat, via SpaceX

Nov 5, 2024, 04:45 AM

The world's first wooden satellite, LignoSat, developed by Japanese researchers at Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry, was launched into space on November 5, 2024. The satellite, made from magnolia wood, was sent into orbit aboard a SpaceX rocket as part of the CRS-31 resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The mission aims to test the durability of wooden materials in the harsh conditions of space over a six-month period, with potential applications for future lunar and Mars exploration.