World's First Wood-Paneled Satellite Launched Into Space (bbc.com) 36
SpaceX has launched the world's first wood-paneled satellite into space "to test the suitability of timber as a renewable building material in future exploration of destinations like the Moon and Mars," reports the BBC. From the report: Made by researchers in Japan, the tiny satellite weighing just 900g is heading for the International Space Station on a SpaceX mission. It will then be released into orbit above the Earth. Named LignoSat, after the Latin word for wood, its panels have been built from a type of magnolia tree, using a traditional technique without screws or glue. Researchers at Kyoto University who developed it hope it may be possible in the future to replace some metals used in space exploration with wood.
"Wood is more durable in space than on Earth because there's no water or oxygen that would rot or inflame it," Kyoto University forest science professor Koji Murata told Reuters news agency. "Early 1900s airplanes were made of wood," Prof Murata said. "A wooden satellite should be feasible, too." If trees could one day be planted on the Moon or Mars, wood might also provide material for colonies in space in the future, the researchers hope. Along with its wood panels, LignoSat also incorporates traditional aluminium structures and electronic components. It has sensors on board to monitor how its wood reacts to the extreme environment of space during the six months it will orbit the Earth. You can watch the launch on YouTube.
"Wood is more durable in space than on Earth because there's no water or oxygen that would rot or inflame it," Kyoto University forest science professor Koji Murata told Reuters news agency. "Early 1900s airplanes were made of wood," Prof Murata said. "A wooden satellite should be feasible, too." If trees could one day be planted on the Moon or Mars, wood might also provide material for colonies in space in the future, the researchers hope. Along with its wood panels, LignoSat also incorporates traditional aluminium structures and electronic components. It has sensors on board to monitor how its wood reacts to the extreme environment of space during the six months it will orbit the Earth. You can watch the launch on YouTube.
Timber (Score:2)
Good luck in finding any trees on the Moon and Mars to chop down and make lumbar from.
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If trees could one day be planted on the Moon or Mars...
You're thinking far too small - this is a potentially awesome application for genetic engineering (unlike the others!):
Who wouldn't want to live inside a 2km-tall lunar oak??
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Making lumbar
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1... [etsy.com]
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Making lumbar
Is that what the kids are calling it these days?
Re:Timber (Score:4, Interesting)
If you did grow tree on the moon it would come out like bamboo. 1/6 gravity won't make for dense wood. It would be a fun experiment to try though.
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If you did grow tree on the moon it would come out like bamboo. 1/6 gravity won't make for dense wood. It would be a fun experiment to try though.
Some idiot savant: "Well then, what you wanna do is plant trees on Jupiter! It'll be wood that's denser than diamond with tensile strength far greater that high carbon steel! We need to send a planting mission right away!"
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Re: Timber (Score:2)
[Citation needed]
I found some speculation [treeplantation.com] but no hard - or even soft - evidence.
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wood paneling (Score:1)
The 70s are back, Baby!
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You mean The Wooden Spaceships by Bob Shaw?
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Finally, my decision to not change the decor for 50 years has paid off!
Solid rocket motors (Score:3)
I can't wait until they use sawdust as the main fuel in a heavy-lift launch vehicle. That will address the environmental concerns of space industry better than engineered plywood.
Honestly I wouldn't have so many problems with the article if the phrase "renewable building material" wasn't invoked. Wood is just a great material, regardless if it is renewable. In aerospace, it's the fuel and the rocket casing that are the long pole in terms of renewability and environmental responsibility. I guess I don't like the emphasis on such a minor factor like if you use aluminum and resin for your satellite versus plywood.
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It'll smell like hydrogen peroxide and smokey barbecue. Like you're having a cook out at the salon.
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And of course today is the 5th of November - Guy Fawkes Day.
(Probably only celebrated in Commonwealth countries.)
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And of course today is the 5th of November - Guy Fawkes Day.
(Probably only celebrated in Commonwealth countries.)
I love the irony of the UK election happening on Independence Day and the US election happening on Guy Fawkes Day...
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The Fifth of November?
Gunpowder, Treason and Plot!
I see no reason,
Gunpowder Treason,
Ever should be forgot!
The late Jerry Pournelle [wikipedia.org] always recited that rhyme at the LASFS [wikipedia.org] meeting closest to November 5th.
Not Renewable (Score:2)
Wood is just a great material, regardless if it is renewable.
If you are launching it out of Earth orbit to another planet then it is not renewable as far as Earth is concerned regardless of what material you make it from since it will end up in another planet's gravity well.
Re: Orbital railgun... (Score:1)
"Should"? Elaborate. Our Solar System is overwhelmingly a vacuum with nothing in it. Close your eyes: ta dah, there's your telepresence.
And also to test a hypothesis (Score:2)
I think it's also a test to see if vacuum kills termites. It probably would for one or two seasons. After that, termites would probably evolve the ability to survive in vacuum and use cosmic radiation for energy.
But does it have a pool table and beer fridge? (Score:2)
Would likely need a couple of couches, big square coffee table, xbox, and 46" flat screen.
Amirite?
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goes with the wood panelling, No? Would likely need a couple of couches, big square coffee table, xbox, and 46" flat screen. Amirite?
I don't know, but I think it's got hookers. And blackjack!
Extremes of temperature (Score:2)
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Hot or cold I've never had a problem with my wood staying stiff. YMMV.
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Initially I'd think the extremes of temperature wouldn't work too well for wood.
On Earth the problem with hot wood is that it catches fire. That would not happen in a vacuum. I'm not aware of an issue with cold wood. Wood has a lower coefficient of expansion than aluminium so in that regard it is better.
More significant than the durability of wood is the thermal properties. Wood conducts heat very poorly. A wood structure would be useless as a thermal radiator. Any active device in space generates heat that must be radiated away. Used selectively, it might be useful to thermally
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Fire is not the problem. Wood subjected to constant variation in temperature tends to lose integrity. Humidity is also a problem, but that is of course not a consideration in space. This lack of durability under severe conditions is a major reason why aluminum replaced wood in aircraft construction. (Also, Sitka spruce, the preferred wood for aircraft production, has become quite rare).
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But it is still used in the the upper stage of the Trident D5 missile [dtic.mil]. Used in every US Navy ballistic missile in fact.
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I'm not aware of an issue with cold wood.
Shrinkage?
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--
Keep politics where it belongs
In the Trash.
Argument (Score:2)
"early airplanes were made out of wood" .. umm, then why did we switch to metal if wood was so great?
OK, I'm being facetious. I'm sure it's a worthy experiment that hopefully will work out.
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People still make airplanes out of wood [aircraftspruce.com].
Voyager 3 (Score:2)