Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 30, 2026

LignoSat

LignoSat is a small Japanese wooden satellite. It is credited as the world's first satellite to be made of wood.

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Jun 30, 2026
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LignoSat 1
COSPAR ID1998-067XD
SATCAT no.62297Edit this on Wikidata
Spacecraft properties
ManufacturerKyoto University
Sumitomo Forestry
Dimensions10 x 10 x 10 cm
Start of mission
Launch date02:29, November 5, 2024 (UTC) (2024-11-05T02:29:00Z)
RocketFalcon 9 Block 5
Launch siteKennedy LC-39A
ContractorSpaceX
Deployed fromISS
Deployment date9 December 2024

LignoSat is a small Japanese wooden satellite. It is credited as the world's first satellite to be made of wood.1234

Background

LignoSat was developed by Kyoto University and logging firm Sumitomo Forestry as a demonstration of using wood for space exploration uses.4

The satellite is named after the Latin word for "wood" which is "Ligno". LignoSat is made of wood from honoki, a magnolia tree native in Japan. Wood from the tree is customarily used for sword sheaths. The choice of material was determined through a 10-month experiment aboard the International Space Station. The satellite was assembled through a traditional Japanese crafts technique without screws or glue.4 It still has some traditional aluminium structures and electronic components.3

LignoSat 1

The LignoSat 1 is a CubeSat and measures 10 centimetres (3.9 in) on each side,5 and weighs 900 grams (32 oz)3

The satellite was launched to space on November 5, 2024 by SpaceX's Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket inside the uncrewed Cargo Dragon from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida to the International Space Station.67

It was deployed into orbit from the ISS on 9 December 2024,8 but it could not establish communication with ground station.9 During the time in orbit the satellite stayed in one piece.10

LignoSat 2

LignoSat 2 is a 2U CubeSat. As of 2023, it is planned for launch in 2026.11

References

References

  1. "World's first wooden satellite launched into space". The Guardian. Agence France-Presse. 5 November 2024. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
  2. "World's first wooden satellite launched into space". DW News. Deutsche Welle. 5 November 2024. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
  3. Natarajan, Swaminathan (5 November 2024). "LignoSat: First wood-panelled satellite launched into space". BBC News. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
  4. Komiya, Kantaro; Wang, Irene (5 November 2024). "World's first wooden satellite, developed in Japan, heads to space". Reuters. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
  5. Wall, Mike (5 November 2024). "World's 1st wooden satellite arrives at ISS for key orbital test". Space.com. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
  6. Wall, Mike (4 November 2024). "SpaceX launches 3 tons of cargo on 31st ISS resupply flight for NASA (video)". Space.com. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
  7. "World's first wooden satellite launched into space". Space Daily. 5 November 2024. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
  8. これまでに放出された超小型衛星 (in Japanese). JAXA. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  9. 世界初の木造人工衛星を再び宇宙へ　クラファンに力を入れる京都大学の「でっかい計画」 (in Japanese). Kyoto Shimbun. 25 February 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  10. "A New Satellite Material Comes Out of the Woodwork". Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  11. 宇宙から戻り、今挑戦する夢のつづき。｜SIC有人宇宙学研究センター. readyfor.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 7 November 2024.