MIPRONS loves intriguing technological challenges: we are trying to develop a micro propulsion system for small satellites.
That’s why we are intrigued and motivated to know that UPM – The Biofore Company Plywood, Arctic Astronautics Ltd. and Huld announced a joint mission to launch the first-ever wooden satellite into Earth’s orbit by the end of 2021.
This mission has the goal to gather data on the behavior and durability of plywood over an extended period in the harsh temperatures, vacuum and radiation of space in order to assess the use of wood materials in space structures.
The chosen satellite is a CubeSat measuring 10 x 10 x 10 cm, weighs one kilogram and will include two cameras used to monitor the specially coated birch plywood and everything will be powered by nine small solar cells.