Japanese Researchers Aim for a Wooden Satellite Launch

Koji Murata, a researcher at Kyoto University in Japan, envisions a different future from the traditional one of aluminum rockets and steel skyscrapers, high-speed shuttles, and glassy facades. He focuses on investigating the potential utilization of biological materials in space.

Murata pondered the possibility of constructing a wooden dwelling on the moon or Mars. Curious to explore this idea further, he embarked on an experiment to manufacture a wooden satellite.

According to recent findings by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), approximately 10% of atmospheric aerosols in the stratosphere consist of metallic particles originating from various spacecraft, including satellites. The potential consequences of these metal fragments on the Earth's delicate ozone layer remain uncertain, causing concern among scientists.

default

Arch-Exist

This massive floating museum is straight out of science fiction

According to Murata, wooden satellites offer both environmental benefits and comparable functionality to their metal counterparts. Murata explains that when wooden satellites reach the end of their lifespan and re-enter the atmosphere, the wood in the LingoSat will burn up and transform into gas, whereas metals turn into fine particles instead.

Murata and his team have dedicated four years to turning their vision into reality. In 2021, they took a major step by sending wood samples to space in order to assess their durability in the harsh conditions. Building on this success, they have formed a collaboration with Japans space agency (JAXA) and NASA. Their joint effort aims to deploy the prototype satellite, named LingoSat, into orbit in the beginning of the upcoming year.

Magnolia, cherry and birch

For Murata, who is head of the space-wood project at Kyoto University, wood is an obvious choice for space structures.

According to him, the use of wood on Earth presents challenges such as burning, rotting, and deformation. However, in space, these issues do not exist. Since there is no oxygen in space, wood cannot burn. Additionally, as there are no living creatures in space, wood is not susceptible to rotting.

Engineers at Kyoto University are building a wooden satellite that will be launched into space in a joint mission with JAXA and NASA.

Kyoto University

Wood and aluminum have the same strength per weight, making wood an attractive option for space construction, according to Murata. Furthermore, the team's tests at the International Space Station revealed that wood is highly resilient in outer space.

Murata conducted tests on three different types of wood for the satellite: Ermans birch, commonly found in East Asia; Japanese cherry; and magnolia obovata, a species native to Japan. Despite cypress and cedar being more commonly used for construction, the team decided to use materials that could withstand detailed work due to the satellites' small size, as stated by Murata.

Ultimately, the magnolia wood won, as its cells are small and uniform in size, which makes the wood easier to work with and less likely to split or break, he says.

Sustainable satellites

Since the 1950s, humans have been successfully deploying satellites into orbit, with approximately 100 spacecraft launched annually until 2010. However, the accessibility of commercial launches has significantly improved over the past decade, resulting in a dramatic increase in the number of satellite deployments. In fact, in 2021 alone, over 1,400 new satellites were launched. As the frequency of space missions is expected to rise, a study by NOAA suggests that up to 50% of atmospheric aerosol in the stratosphere could potentially contain metallic particles originated from spacecraft.

In addition to the aforementioned developments, other organizations are also exploring the utilization of wood in space.

Arctic Astronautics, a startup from Finland, has developed the WISA Woodsat, a satellite made of wood. Originally scheduled for launch in 2021, the satellite's release has been delayed due to bureaucratic obstacles, according to the company's founder, Jari Mäkinen. Mäkinen mentioned that the satellite is fully prepared and waiting in separate components to be reassembled in the future. Once the space operations license is obtained, Arctic Astronautics plans to launch the satellite using the RocketLab private rocket rideshare service.

The satellite is made from magnolia wood, which was tested at the International Space Station with two other varieties.

Kyoto University

At Khalifa University in the United Arab Emirates, aerospace engineer Yarjan Abdul Samad is looking at graphene as a potential material for space objects.

Samad is currently investigating "nano-wood," a novel form of wood that is enhanced with graphene to enhance its strength. Samad shares the same view as Murata that wood, being a renewable and lightweight material, holds tremendous potential not only for constructing satellites but also for future space structures.

Luvly

A Swedish company is making flat-pack cars - but its not the one you think

Samad stated that numerous research projects are currently being conducted on space agriculture. He further suggested that the growth of wood in space could serve as a valuable resource for manufacturing purposes within space.

Nonetheless, Tatsuhito Fujita, an engineer at JAXA who has actively contributed to the evaluation of the LingoSat project, points out that there are still numerous uncertainties concerning the utilization of wood in space structures.

Regarding JAXA and the J-Cube Program, ensuring safety is their primary focus. According to Fujita, the LingoSat has successfully undergone its initial evaluation without any substantial concerns. Furthermore, JAXA is actively researching lighter and more durable structural materials to minimize debris generation and achieve this objective."

To infinity

The safety review of LingoSat is nearing completion and it is anticipated to be launched in a collaborative mission by JAXA and NASA during the summer of 2024. Murata has stated that a minimum of six months of monitoring will be carried out on the satellite to assess its performance under space conditions, including the significant variations in temperature experienced in space.

The researchers will closely observe the satellite for a minimum of six months while it completes its orbit around the Earth, as depicted in this render. Credit: Kyoto University.

The team will also monitor the reaction of the satellites' semiconductor and chip to radio waves and magnetic fields, as well as assess how the wooden shell provides protection. While wood is theoretically a cheaper material for manufacturing, Murata acknowledges that the costs are still being determined due to its novelty as a technology.

According to Murata, only a limited number of materials have been employed for space missions and objects. However, he believes that his research, along with the LingoSat, can demonstrate the potential of alternative materials with reduced environmental impact.

Murata asserts that wood is a renewable and eco-friendly material that can also benefit people. He suggests that wood could find applications in space development, specifically as an interior material and for radiation shielding purposes, particularly for small satellites and manned space vehicles.