Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry announced Tuesday the completion of LignoSat, the world's first wooden artificial satellite.
LignoSat will launch from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida to the International Space Station in September, with deployment from the Japanese Experiment Module Kibo slated for approximately one month later.
With development beginning in April 2020, LignoSat is crafted from magnolia wood, selected for its strength and workability after space exposure tests were conducted on cherry, birch and magnolia wood chips. The wood was sourced from Sumitomo Forestry’s company forest.