In 2024, which country became the first in the world to develop a wooden satellite named LignoSat?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The correct answer is Option 1: Japan.
Explanation:
In 2024, Japan became the world's first country to develop a satellite made of wood, named LignoSat.
Collaboration: This innovative satellite was jointly developed by researchers from Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry.
Type of Wood: Magnolia wood was used to construct it, as it was found to be the most durable during testing in the harsh environment of space.
Objective: Its primary objective is to reduce space debris. When traditional aluminum satellites re-enter Earth's atmosphere, they release harmful particles of aluminum oxide. In contrast, a wooden satellite will burn up completely, leaving behind only ash, which is less harmful to the environment.
Launch: It was sent to the International Space Station (ISS) in November 2024 aboard a SpaceX rocket.
Other Significant 'Firsts' in Space Science (Quick Revision):
- The world's first artificial satellite: Sputnik 1 (Soviet Union, 1957).
- India's first satellite: Aryabhata (1975).
- The first country to land on the Moon's South Pole: India (Chandrayaan-3 mission, 2023).
- The first country to build a wooden satellite: Japan (2024).
Important Questions for Upcoming Exams:
Question: What material is the 'LignoSat' satellite made of?
Answer: Wood (Magnolia).
Question: Which institutions developed LignoSat?
Answer: Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry, Japan. Question: Why is wood being used to reduce space debris?
Answer: Because it burns up completely upon re-entering the atmosphere and does not leave behind harmful metal particles.