Arctic Astronautics, a project initiated by students from Alto University in Finland, announced the WISA Woodsat, a small satellite made of wood. It is expected to be released within 2021 in cooperation with various companies.
The wooden satellite is a 10cm cube and weighs 1kg. On the outside of the aircraft, a special plywood called WISA manufactured by UPM, a Finnish forest company, was used, and a small satellite Kitsat developed by Arctic Astronomics was contained inside. It is also equipped with two cameras and sensors developed by the European Space Agency, and is powered by nine small solar cells.
Artic Astronomics emphasizes that although wooden satellites can laugh, it is the crystallization of scientific and technological endeavours. The satellite’s purpose is to verify that the plywood can withstand the extreme conditions of space and to demonstrate satellite communications.
Arctic Astronomics has been working with the educational sector of European Space Agency for a long time and has been working hard to realize the idea of combining wood and space technology. In 2017, a satellite model made of birch succeeded in reaching the stratosphere, but the project was restarted for re-realization.
WISA Woodsat is expected to be released in the second half of 2021 through cooperation with US aerospace company Rocket Lab. Upon successful launch, the WISA Woodsat will travel in the outer atmosphere at an altitude of 500 km to 550 km. Related information can be found here.