Science Alert by ANDY TOMASWICK 5/21/2023
Typically when you think of a satellite, you think of a metal box with electronic components inside it. But that is simply because most satellites have been made that way throughout history. There is nothing against using other materials to build satellites.
Now, a team of researchers from Japan has completed testing on another type of material that could eventually be used on an actual satellite – magnolia wood.
The project, known as LignoSat, is based on the simple idea that wood can be used as a housing material. In some ways, it is superior to metal for space applications due to its flexibility, strength, and relatively lightweight.
Another problem it is trying to alleviate is one specific to metal enclosures for satellites. When a typical satellite reenters the atmosphere and begins to burn up, parts of its shell, typically aluminum, can flake off its main body and become trapped in their own orbit without fully burning up in the atmosphere.
These orbital shavings can contribute to the ever-growing problem of space debris and could be eliminated by using a different type of material for a satellite's housing – such as wood.
More:
https://www.sciencealert.com/building-a-satellite-using-wood-you-have-to-use-this-wood-according-to-a-new-study
