TAG: GS-3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
CONTEXT: The world’s first wood-panelled satellite, Lignosat, was recently launched by Japanese scientists to test the use of wood as a renewable material for space missions.
EXPLANATION:
What is LignoSat?
- LignoSat”, a fusion of ‘ligno’ (the Latin word for wood) and “satellite”. LignoSat is crafted from honoki wood a species of Japanese magnolia traditionally used in sword sheaths. This wood was selected for its durability and resilience, qualities confirmed through a 10-month study aboard the ISS.
- Withstands temperature extremes from -100°C to 100°C, essential for testing wood in space.
- The satellite was sent to the International Space Station (ISS) via a SpaceX mission, where it will orbit about 400 kilometers above Earth for six months.
- It is developed through collaborative research and development by a team comprising members from Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry Co.
- The primary objective of LignoSat is to test the feasibility of timber as a sustainable material for space structures. “With timber, a material we can produce ourselves, we can build houses, live, and work in space indefinitely,” said Doi, reflecting the long-term vision of developing timber-based habitats on celestial bodies like the Moon and Mars.
- It is tasked to demonstrate the cosmic potential of renewable material as humans explore living in space.
- It will first be sent to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard a SpaceX rocket from the Kennedy Space Center. Once it reaches the ISS, it will be released from the Japanese experiment module to test its durability and strength.
- Researchers will receive data from the satellite to monitor its performance, including signs of strain and its ability to withstand extreme temperature changes.
Significance of the Lignosat mission:
- Technological and Research Opportunities: The LignoSat mission will help researchers understand how natural materials like wood can perform in space, opening up possibilities for future satellite technologies that could be even more environmentally friendly
- Eco-Friendly Innovation: Constructed from specially treated wood, LignoSat showcases how advanced materials can be sourced from nature while still being durable enough to withstand the extreme conditions of space, such as radiation and temperature fluctuations
- Reducing Space Debris: One of the most pressing challenges in space exploration is the accumulation of space debris, which poses a risk to both manned and unmanned spacecraft. By using wood, which will completely disintegrate upon reentry, LignoSat presents a novel solution to reduce the accumulation of non-biodegradable waste in orbit
- Sustainability in Space Technology: LignoSat pioneers the use of biodegradable materials for satellite construction, signaling a potential shift toward sustainable practices in space exploration. This could inspire the use of alternative materials in future satellite designs, reducing the environmental footprint of space missions
Why is wood used?
Wooden satellites are considered more environmentally friendly when re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere after their mission. Unlike metal satellites, which pose a risk of air pollution due to the creation of metal particles during re-entry, wooden satellites mitigate these concerns.
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