ESA joins forces with Finnish project to launch the world’s first wooden satellite

In a remarkable feat of engineering and sustainability, the world’s first wooden satellite, WISA Woodsat, is set to orbit the Earth. This groundbreaking project, initiated by Finnish writer and broadcaster Jari Makinen, has garnered the support of the European Space Agency (ESA), which is contributing a suite of experimental sensors to the mission.

WISA Woodsat, a 10x10x10 cm CubeSat, is constructed primarily from plywood, a lightweight and durable wood composite. Its non-wooden components include corner aluminum rails for deployment into space and a metal selfie stick for capturing images.

The satellite’s primary objective is to demonstrate the viability of wood as a sustainable material for space applications. Wood’s inherent strength, low thermal conductivity, and resistance to radiation make it an attractive alternative to traditional materials like aluminum and composites.

ESA’s involvement in the project extends beyond sensor provision. The agency’s materials experts have played a crucial role in testing and evaluating the satellite’s structural integrity and performance under simulated space conditions.

WISA Woodsat carries a variety of payloads, including:

• Two cameras: One for capturing images of Earth and the other for taking selfies of the satellite in space
• An amateur radio payload: Enabling amateurs worldwide to relay radio signals and images
• ESA’s experimental sensor suite: Designed to gather data on the satellite’s performance and the effects of space on wood

The satellite’s launch is scheduled for 2023, and it is expected to operate for approximately six months. Its successful deployment will mark a significant milestone in space exploration, paving the way for more sustainable and environmentally friendly satellite designs.

Benefits of Using Wood in Space

The use of wood in space offers several advantages over traditional materials:

• Sustainability: Wood is a renewable resource, unlike metals that are often mined from environmentally sensitive areas.
• Lightweight: Wood’s low density makes it easier to launch satellites into orbit, reducing launch costs.
• Thermal insulation: Wood’s low thermal conductivity helps regulate satellite temperatures, minimizing the need for energy-intensive heating or cooling systems.
• Radiation resistance: Wood’s natural resistance to radiation exposure can extend the lifespan of satellites operating in harsh space environments.

The Future of Wooden Satellites

WISA Woodsat serves as a pioneering step towards a more sustainable future for space exploration. Its successful operation will undoubtedly inspire further research and development in the use of wood for satellite construction.

Potential applications of wooden satellites include:

• Exploration of other planets: Wood’s lightweight structure could be advantageous for landing vehicles on other celestial bodies.
• Construction of orbiting space stations: Wood’s sustainability and thermal insulation properties could make it an ideal material for building habitable structures in space.
• Deployment of communication networks: Wooden satellites could form the backbone of a sustainable and cost-effective communication infrastructure in space.

WISA Woodsat’s launch is not just a technological feat; it is a testament to the power of innovation and the pursuit of sustainability in space exploration. It paves the way for a greener, more environmentally conscious future for space exploration, where wood plays a pivotal role in shaping our understanding of the cosmos.

©️ Rocky Mountain Dispatch 2023