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We’re firing more satellites into Earth’s orbit than ever before, and that comes with a major side effect: space junk. Japanese researchers from Kyoto University are working on a solution to this problem that involves the use of wooden materials for the construction of satellites instead of traditional metal materials.
The team is collaborating with Sumitomo Forestry, a Japanese logging company, on the project. They hope to have a working prototype of a wooden satellite ready by 2023.
But first, the collaborators have a gigantic task in front of them: discovering what wooden materials will actually work for flying in space. Metals have always been used for space exploration because they are reliable and strong – wood is a whole new territory.
Too much metal – Space debris is not a new problem, but it has attracted more attention in recent years now that private companies like SpaceX are launching satellites into space with reckless abandon. We have almost perfected the art of sending satellites into space, but re-entry carries risks. Instead of destroying decommissioned satellites by re-entering the atmosphere where they can burn out, they most of the time remain in orbit. That means increasingly potentially harmful elements that could damage the International Space Station or other objects in orbit.
Even those that are destroyed come with their own problems. Takao Doi, a professor at Kyoto University, says the researchers’ concern is that metal satellites that re-enter the atmosphere burn up and create tiny alumina particles that remain in the atmosphere for many years. Those floating particles are likely to accumulate rapidly, and that accumulation could even affect Earth’s environment.
Doi is not alone in this concern. Many space-focused organizations have spoken out on the issue, but there are still no international space laws on cleaning up this debris. It is up to private organizations to clean up the mess.
The most secret of the forests – These researchers have a long way to go. Before any satellite can be built, Sumitomo Forestry will need to develop wood materials that are extremely resistant to sunlight and temperature changes.
The exact type of wood is kept secret. This is not just a tree that has been felled and carved into a satellite shape; it will need to protect expensive machinery and survive a launch into space.
There are about 6,000 satellites in orbit right now; that number is expected to double in the coming years. Internet satellite programs alone will launch thousands of satellites in this decade. By 2030, Amazon expects to have more than 3,000 of its own satellites in Earth orbit. Making at least some of them with materials that are less harmful and easier to destroy can only be good for humanity’s long-term space ambitions.
