Japan Still Has Time To Think Environmentally Friendly, Makes 'Wood' Satellites And Sent In 2023

JAKARTA - A plan is underway in Japan to launch the world's first "wooden" satellite by 2023. The development team in Japan wants to take advantage of the environmental friendliness and low cost of wood in space development.

According to a team consisting of Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry Co., according to a team consisting of Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry Co., according to a team consisting of Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry Co., Kyodo quoted as quoted by Antara quoted by Antara as quoted by Antara, Sunday, January 2, as quoted by Antara, Sunday, January 2, 2020. would be cheaper than using aluminum, the current main material for satellites. Since electromagnetic waves can penetrate wood, satellites can contain antennas in them.

The planned satellite will be in the form of a cube with a side of 10 centimeters. The exterior will be lined with wood and solar cells, and inside will be an electronic substrate.

A state-run university in western Japan and a Tokyo-based wood products company will test the durability of wood in space, possibly starting in February, using extravehicular experimental equipment from the International Space Station.

The team, led by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Takao Doi, plans to install layers of wood of varying hardness, taken from several types of trees.

Doi, a program-specific professor at Kyoto University, said if the plan worked, it would lead to "allowing even children interested in space to build satellites."

Doi became the first Japanese astronaut to take part in an extravehicular activity when he boarded the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1997.