**Japan Pioneers Space Engineering with Launch of World's First Wooden Satellite**

In an unprecedented move in space exploration, a SpaceX rocket has successfully launched a Japanese satellite constructed from wood. This innovative satellite, a four-inch cube with wooden panels, aims to test the suitability of timber as a sustainable material for space applications.

Historically, since the launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957, satellites have predominantly been made from metals. However, a team of Japanese researchers believes wood could be a viable alternative. The satellite, named LignoSat, carries various electronics to be tested aboard the International Space Station (ISS). According to Koji Murata, a professor of forest and biomaterials science at Kyoto University, LignoSat is expected to enter orbit in early December.

The concept of incorporating wood in space technology originated in 2017 when Takao Doi, a Japanese engineer and former NASA astronaut, pondered whether trees could be cultivated as a renewable building material for human societies in space. This thought inspired a quest to determine if wood could withstand the harsh conditions of space.

Murata recalls the historical significance of wood in aerospace, noting that about a century ago, airplanes were often constructed using timber. This historical insight propelled the modern initiative to create a wooden satellite. Doi, alongside scientists from Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry, one of Japan's oldest timber companies, embarked on this groundbreaking mission to identify the optimal type of wood for space travel.

If successful, LignoSat could revolutionize space engineering, opening up possibilities for using renewable materials in future space constructions. This project not only highlights innovative thinking in material science but also represents a blend of advanced technology with traditional craftsmanship.