International Space Agencies – Missions and Discoveries

LignoSat: the First Wooden Satellite launched into space

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From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: LignoSat Satellite

Lignosat: the First Wooden Satellite launched into space

Why in the News?

The world’s first wood-panelled satellite, LignoSat, was recently launched to test the use of timber as a renewable material for future space missions.

About LignoSat Satellite:

Details
Purpose To test the potential of wood as a renewable building material in space applications.
Developed By Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry of Japan.
Launch Details Launched on November 5 aboard a SpaceX Dragon cargo capsule.
Mission Duration Spend a month at the International Space Station (ISS) before being deployed into Earth’s orbit for six months to test its performance.
Size and Weight Measures 4 inches (10 cm) per side and weighs 900 grams.
Material Built with magnolia wood panels, using a traditional Japanese technique that avoids screws and glue.
Construction Combines wood-panel casings with aluminium structures and standard electronic components.
Durability Testing Designed to withstand extreme temperature fluctuations in space, ranging from -100 to 100 degrees Celsius every 45 minutes.

LignoSat as a Renewable Solution for Space Construction

  • Reduced Environmental Impact: Unlike conventional aluminium-based satellites, LignoSat reduces pollutants like aluminium oxides that damage the ozone layer upon re-entry.
  • Sustainable Material: Wood is a renewable, lightweight, and corrosion-resistant material in space, as there is no water or oxygen to accelerate degradation.
  • Long-Term Vision: The satellite could pave the way for sustainable space construction, with future plans to use wood in building structures on the Moon and Mars.
  • Mitigating Orbital Congestion: As satellite constellations grow, sustainable materials like wood could help reduce space debris and pollution in Earth’s orbit.

PYQ:

[2016] With reference to ‘AstroSat’, the astronomical observatory launched by India, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. Other than USA and Russia, India is the only country to have launched a similar observatory into space.

2. AstroSat is a 2000 kg satellite placed in an orbit at 1650 km above the surface of the Earth.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

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