Wooden satellite sent to space

On 5 November, the International Space Station (ISS) received a special delivery: a small wooden box. The 10-centimetre-wide object is actually a satellite, which Japanese researchers are testing to see if wood can be used in space. The team from Kyoto University, Japan, which includes former astronaut Takao Doi, are trying to find a way to reduce the space junk produced during space exploration missions. Space junk is pieces of machinery or debris that humans have left in space. This includes satellites that are no longer used but are left orbiting the Earth, or small bits of metal left over when an object re-enters the atmosphere and burns up. The researchers say these particles could be harmful for the environment, and might affect phone, radio and TV signals. The wooden…

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The Week Junior (UK) (Digital) - 1 Issue, 466

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