Japan Launches World's First Wooden Satellite to Tackle Space Debris

The innovative LignoSat aims to reduce space pollution by using renewable materials that burn up cleanly upon re-entry.

LignoSat, developed by Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry, is the first satellite made primarily from wood, specifically magnolia.
The satellite was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and is currently on the International Space Station before its deployment into orbit.
Wooden satellites like LignoSat are designed to mitigate the Kessler Syndrome by reducing space debris and burning up cleanly in Earth's atmosphere.
The project explores the durability of wood in space, with initial tests showing promising results for the material's resilience in extreme conditions.
Researchers are hopeful that this sustainable approach could lead to future innovations, potentially replacing metal satellites to minimize pollutants.