The European Space Agency (ESA) has planned to launch the world’s first wooden satellite. It is going to be launched from New Zealand. It will be launched from a Rocket Lab Electron rocket by the end of 2021. The satellite is the brainchild of Jari Makinen.
About the Satellite
- The satellite, WISA Woodsat, is a nanosatellite. It is 10cm on each side, length, height, and width.
- The sensors of the satellite have been developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) and designers have placed the wood in a thermal vacuum chamber to keep it dry.
- A very thin aluminium oxide layer has been used to minimize the vapour coming from the wood and to protect it from the erosive effects of atomic oxygen. The non-wooden external parts are made up of aluminium rails.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- European Space Agency Headquarters: Paris, France;
- European Space Agency Founded: 30 May 1975, Europe;
- European Space Agency CEO: Johann-Dietrich Worner.