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WOODEN SATELLITES:LIGNOSAT PROJECT MAY REDUCE SPACE JUNK

BBC Science Focus

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New Year 2024

US and Japanese space agencies are teaming up to launch lumber in an effort to reduce space litter

- DR SARA WEBB

WOODEN SATELLITES:LIGNOSAT PROJECT MAY REDUCE SPACE JUNK

In 1957, the first human-made object successfully launched into space was placed in orbit around Earth. This was Sputnik 1, a beautifully simple, Soviet-made spherical satellite with just four antennas.

But this historic event also marked another, more unsettling first: humanity had deposited its first piece of space debris. Part of the 267-tonne, 30m-tall rocket that launched Sputnik was stuck in orbit. Suddenly the world had a problem that we didn't know we needed to solve: the littering of outer space.

Thankfully, Sputnik and that rocket remnant de-orbited and burned up in our atmosphere fairly quickly after launch.

That hasn't always been the case, however - far from it. Over the course of just 66 years of space exploration, a vast amount of detritus has been left in orbit around Earth.

Now NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) have an idea to help solve this issue: satellites made from a widely available, biodegradable material - wood.

The problem the agencies aim to address is a big and complex one and finding out just how big was the first stage of the project. We know that at least 130 million pieces of human-made debris orbit Earth, most of them whizzing around at over 7km/s - eight times faster than a typical bullet. Although that's a staggering number, some scientists think it's a conservative estimate.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA BBC Science Focus

BBC Science Focus

BBC Science Focus

DO I HAVE ALEXITHYMIA?

We can all struggle to find the words to explain ourselves, but if you regularly experience feelings that you can't identify, you might have alexithymia.

time to read

1 mins

October 2025

BBC Science Focus

BBC Science Focus

SHOULD I KEEP MY CAR KEYS IN A FARADAY BOX?

Potentially, yes. The invention of keyless entry means we can unlock our cars upon approach, something particularly helpful when you want to open the boot, but have your hands full of shopping.

time to read

2 mins

October 2025

BBC Science Focus

BBC Science Focus

SHOULD I START SNIFFING ROSEMARY?

Is there any truth to the Shakespearean phrase 'rosemary for remembrance'? Actually, yes.

time to read

1 min

October 2025

BBC Science Focus

BBC Science Focus

Groundbreaking footage captures hidden moment of human fertility

Observing the crucial step in human development could help improve fertility and IVF

time to read

1 min

October 2025

BBC Science Focus

BBC Science Focus

THE GIANT PHANTOM JELLYFISH

Conjure in your mind a giant, deep-sea predator, and I bet there's a colossal squid lurking in there, perhaps with an even bigger sperm whale chasing after it.

time to read

2 mins

October 2025

BBC Science Focus

BBC Science Focus

EDITOR'S PICKS...

This month's smartest tech

time to read

4 mins

October 2025

BBC Science Focus

BBC Science Focus

'Clearest sign' of alien life on Mars found by NASA

Strange 'leopard spot' markings on a Martian rock could finally be the sign we've been waiting for that alien microbes once lived on the Red Planet

time to read

4 mins

October 2025

BBC Science Focus

Human brains emit a bizarre glow

Subtle light shines through our skulls in patterns that depends on what we're doing

time to read

1 mins

October 2025

BBC Science Focus

BBC Science Focus

"Far from being the bad guy, cortisol is a hormone that's vital for our bodies and brains"

To complicate matters further, cortisol is also released in bursts, about every hour or so.

time to read

2 mins

October 2025

BBC Science Focus

BBC Science Focus

HOW MANY ORGANS COULD I SURVIVE WITHOUT?

The annals of medical history prove that the average human meat sack is surprisingly resilient.

time to read

1 mins

October 2025

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