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LignoSat

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LignoSat
Spacecraft properties
ManufacturerKyoto University
Sumitomo Forestry
Dimensions10 x 10 x 10 cm
Start of mission
Launch date02:29, November 5, 2024 (UTC) (2024-11-05T02:29Z)
RocketFalcon 9 Block 5
Launch siteKennedy LC-39A
ContractorSpaceX
Deployed fromISS
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]

Background

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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 sheets. The choice of material was determined through a 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]

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

Launch and deployment

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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 month.[5]

References

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  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. ^ a b c Natarajan, Swaminathan (5 November 2024). "LignoSat: First wood-panelled satellite launched into space". BBC News. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
  4. ^ a b c Komiya, Kantaro; Wang, Irene (5 November 2024). "World's first wooden satellite, developed in Japan, heads to space". Reuters. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
  5. ^ a b 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.