LignoSat

Last updated
LignoSat 1
Spacecraft properties
Manufacturer Kyoto University
Sumitomo Forestry
Dimensions10 x 10 x 10 cm
Start of mission
Launch date02:29,November 5, 2024(UTC) (2024-11-05T02:29Z)
Rocket Falcon 9 Block 5
Launch site Kennedy LC-39A
Contractor SpaceX
Deployed from ISS
Deployment dateTBA

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]

Contents

Background

LignoSat 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 sheaths. The choice of material was determined through 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]

LignoSat 1

The LignoSat 1 is a CubeSat and measures 10 centimetres (3.9 in) on each side, [5] and weighs 900 grams (32 oz) [3]

The 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 the month. [5]

LignoSat 2

LignoSat 2 is a 2U CubeSat. As of 2023, it is planned for launch in 2026. [9]

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References

  1. "World's first wooden satellite launched into space". The Guardian. Agence France-Presse. 5 November 2024. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
  2. "World's first wooden satellite launched into space". DW News. Deutsche Welle. 5 November 2024. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 Natarajan, Swaminathan (5 November 2024). "LignoSat: First wood-panelled satellite launched into space". BBC News. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
  4. 1 2 3 Komiya, Kantaro; Wang, Irene (5 November 2024). "World's first wooden satellite, developed in Japan, heads to space". Reuters. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
  5. 1 2 Wall, Mike (5 November 2024). "World's 1st wooden satellite arrives at ISS for key orbital test". Space.com. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
  6. 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.
  7. "World's first wooden satellite launched into space". Space Daily. 5 November 2024. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
  8. "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.
  9. 宇宙から戻り、今挑戦する夢のつづき。|SIC有人宇宙学研究センター. readyfor.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 7 November 2024.