The world's first wooden satellite is set to launch into space soon, with integrated sensors evaluating wood's performance in harsh orbital conditions. But why choose wood for this pioneering mission?
This CubeSat—a compact cube measuring about 10 cm per side—is primarily crafted from birch plywood, with only a few aluminum components for deployment angles and a selfie stick. Developed by Finnish science journalist and space educator Jari Mäkinen, the project stems from his passion for model airplanes. "I've always enjoyed building wooden model planes," Mäkinen shares. "Working in space education sparked the question: Why not test wood in space?"
In 2017, Mäkinen successfully deployed a prototype (KitSat) into the stratosphere via weather balloon. Now, Woodsat takes the next leap into orbit.
Rocket Lab's Electron rocket will carry the CubeSat, while the European Space Agency (ESA) supplies instruments and cameras to assess its space performance.
The plywood undergoes special preparation: "Ordinary plywood is too moist for space, so we'll dry it in a thermal vacuum chamber," explains chief engineer Samuli Nyman. "A thin aluminum oxide layer will curb outgassing and shield against atomic oxygen erosion from solar UV radiation. We'll also test various varnishes and lacquers on select areas."
If successful, Woodsat launches before year-end, orbiting at 500-600 km altitude.
Effectively, why pursue this? It's not primarily about space debris—wooden satellites won't slow down from 26,000+ km/h or eliminate collision risks compared to metal or plastic.
Wooden coatings might burn up more readily during re-entry, but internal electronics could still scatter, potentially releasing toxins. A key advantage: wood's radio transparency allows antennas to stay protected inside, simplifying deployment and reducing satellite failures.
