Japan to build wooden satellites to fight space junk

| Read time: 3 minute(s)
Japan to build wooden satellites to fight space junk Kyoto Humans are known to create trash wherever they go… be it Earth, Moon and even Space! Space junk is becoming an increasing problem as more satellites are launched into the atmosphere every year. But as over the years scientists are becoming wary of space junk, researchers are also trying to cut on it. Researchers and space experts from Kyoto University, including a former Japanese astronaut, are working with the Sumitomo Group, a nearly 400-year old company, on the development and testing of special kinds of wood that can survive in the harsh environment of space. Sumitomo Forestry said it has started research on tree growth and the use of wood materials in space. The partnership will begin experimenting with different types of wood in extreme environments on Earth. Wooden satellites would burn up without releasing harmful substances into the atmosphere or raining debris on the ground when they plunge back to Earth. Experts have warned of the increasing threat of space junk falling to Earth, as more spacecraft and satellites are launched. More and more satellites are used for communication, television, navigation and weather forecasting. Space experts and researchers have been investigating different options to remove and reduce the space junk. Did you know? There are nearly 6,000 satellites circling Earth, according to the World Economic Forum (WEF). About 60% of them are defunct (space junk). Researchers estimate that 990 satellites will be launched every year this decade, which means that by 2028, there could be 15,000 satellites in orbit.

Humans are known to create trash wherever they go… be it Earth, Moon and even Space! Space junk is becoming an increasing problem as more satellites are launched into the atmosphere every year. 

But as over the years scientists are becoming wary of space junk, researchers are also trying to cut on it. 

Researchers and space experts from Kyoto University, including a former Japanese astronaut, are working with the Sumitomo Group, a nearly 400-year old company, on the development and testing of special kinds of wood that can survive in the harsh environment of space.

Sumitomo Forestry said it has started research on tree growth and the use of wood materials in space.

The partnership will begin experimenting with different types of wood in extreme environments on Earth.

Wooden satellites would burn up without releasing harmful substances into the atmosphere or raining debris on the ground when they plunge back to Earth.

Experts have warned of the increasing threat of space junk falling to Earth, as more spacecraft and satellites are launched. More and more satellites are used for communication, television, navigation and weather forecasting. Space experts and researchers have been investigating different options to remove and reduce the space junk.

Did you know?

There are nearly 6,000 satellites circling Earth, according to the World Economic Forum (WEF). About 60% of them are defunct (space junk). Researchers estimate that 990 satellites will be launched every year this decade, which means that by 2028, there could be 15,000 satellites in orbit.

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