Japan ‘skips’ on artificial intelligence and launches a wooden box into space
Japanese researchers are testing eco-friendly satellites that could prevent decades of hazardous space debris.
Kyoto University, in partnership with Sumitomo Forestry, a global leader in sustainable forest management, may have found a practical solution to a growing threat. As human activity in space increases, so does the amount of satellites and spacecraft, creating a mounting problem with space debris.
Technology brings humans closer to the stars
Studying space has long been limited by technological challenges. But advances in robotics, artificial intelligence, and new systems - like NASA’s Curiosity rover exploring Mars - are bridging the gap between humans and the cosmos. These innovations are also leading to a bigger human footprint in space, which experts expect will multiply over the coming decades.
The hidden danger of space dust
According to Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry, the main problem lies in the materials used for spacecraft. Most are metal-based, and when these machines reach the end of their service life, they eventually burn up, releasing a fine aluminum oxide dust that can drift through space for decades. This dust is harmful both to Earth and the space environment. That’s where the LignoSat project comes in, proposing an alternative material for satellites and spacecraft.
Wood in space? Surprisingly effective
The solution: wood. Japan recently launched a cube-shaped satellite made entirely from magnolia wood. Researchers say this material addresses all the problems caused by metal-based space debris. While wood is flammable and less durable than metal on Earth, conditions in space are entirely different.
Why wooden satellites work
LignoSat focuses on wooden satellites because of their surprising strength and stability in orbit. Without oxygen, wood doesn’t burn or rot. It also withstands extreme temperature swings - from about -205 degrees Fahrenheit to 257 degrees Fahrenheit - without the expansion and contraction issues metals face.
Before sending the first full wooden satellite into orbit, researchers conducted tests by launching space debris wrapped in different types of wood and retrieving it a year later. Each sample returned intact, and magnolia wood was chosen for its dimensional stability and flexibility. If space agencies adopt LignoSat’s approach, wooden satellites would eventually decompose naturally, producing only water vapor and minimal carbon dioxide. This could prevent the accumulation of a hazy, potentially hazardous layer of debris around Earth.
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