Japan developing wooden satellites to cut space junk | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Monday
June 16, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2025
Japan developing wooden satellites to cut space junk

World+Biz

TBS Report
29 December, 2020, 08:45 am
Last modified: 29 December, 2020, 09:10 am

Related News

  • Japan and US trade negotiators spoke again on Saturday: Japan gov't
  • Trump and Japan PM discuss tariffs, Israel's attacks against Iran
  • Scientists in Japan develop plastic that dissolves in seawater within hours
  • Clamping down: Once Japan, now China
  • Bangladesh-Japan ties strengthened by CA's visit: Press secretary

Japan developing wooden satellites to cut space junk

There are nearly 6,000 satellites circling Earth, according to the World Economic Forum (WEF) and about 60% of them are space junk

TBS Report
29 December, 2020, 08:45 am
Last modified: 29 December, 2020, 09:10 am
Space junk is becoming an increasing problem as more satellites are launched into the atmosphere Photo: Collected from BBC
Space junk is becoming an increasing problem as more satellites are launched into the atmosphere Photo: Collected from BBC

Space junk is becoming an increasing problem as more satellites are launched into the atmosphere and to tackle this problem, a Japanese company and Kyoto University will be collaborating to develop be the world's first wooden satellites by 2023, reports BBC.

Sumitomo Forestry, a Japanese logging and processing company, said that it has started began research on tree growth and the use of wood materials in space.

The reason for choosing wood is that satellites made out of the fibrous structural tissue would not release harmful substances into the atmosphere nor will they cause a rain of debris into the atmosphere when hitting the Earth atmosphere. Instead, they would burn up.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

"We are very concerned with the fact that all the satellites which re-enter the Earth's atmosphere burn and create tiny alumina particles which will float in the upper atmosphere for many years," said Takao Doi, a professor at Kyoto University and Japanese astronaut.

He added that it would eventually affect the earth's environment.

"The next stage will be developing the engineering model of the satellite, then we will manufacture the flight model," Professor Doi further stated.

As an astronaut he visited the International Space Station in March 2008 and during this mission, he became the first person to throw a boomerang in space that had been specifically designed for use in microgravity.

Sumitomo Forestry, part of the Sumitomo Group, which was founded more than 400 years ago, said it would work on developing wooden materials highly resistant to temperature changes and sunlight. The wood it is using is an "R&D secret," according to BBC.

Space junk

Experts have warned of the increasing threat of space junk falling to Earth, as more spacecraft and satellites are launched.

Satellites are increasingly being used for communication, television, navigation and weather forecasting. Space experts and researchers have been investigating different options to remove and reduce space junk.

There are nearly 6,000 satellites circling Earth, according to the World Economic Forum (WEF). About 60% of them are defunct (space junk).

Research firm Euroconsult estimates that 990 satellites will be launched every year this decade, which means that by 2028, there could be 15,000 satellites in orbit.

Elon Musk's SpaceX has already launched more than 900 Starlink satellites and has plans to deploy thousands more.

Space junk travels at an incredibly fast speed of more than 22,300 mph, so can have caused considerable damage to any objects it hits.

In 2006 a tiny piece of space junk collided with the International Space Station, taking a chip out of the heavily reinforced window.

Tech / Top News

space junk / Japan / wooden satellites

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • A drone photo shows the damage over residential homes and a school at the impact site following a missile attack from Iran on Israel, in Bnei Brak, Israel June 16, 2025. REUTERS/Chen Kalifa
    Destruction mounts as Iran's missile strikes devastate central Israel
  • Former Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK Saida Muna Tasneem. Photo: Collected
    ACC launches inquiry against ex-UK envoy Saida Muna, husband over laundering Tk2,000cr
  • Shakib Al Hasan. File Photo: Collected
    Travel ban imposed on Shakib Al Hasan, 14 others over corruption allegations

MOST VIEWED

  • Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur. TBS Sketch
    Merger of 5 Islamic banks at final stage: BB governor
  • UCB launches Bangladesh's first microservices-based open API banking platform
    UCB launches Bangladesh's first microservices-based open API banking platform
  • Photo: Collected
    Pakistan rejects reports of missile supply to Iran
  • Infographic: TBS
    Non-performing loans surge by Tk74,570cr in Q1 as hidden rot exposed
  • Crore-taka bank accounts edge down by 719 in March quarter
    Crore-taka bank accounts edge down by 719 in March quarter
  • Nepal begins 38MW hydropower export to Bangladesh
    Nepal begins 38MW hydropower export to Bangladesh

Related News

  • Japan and US trade negotiators spoke again on Saturday: Japan gov't
  • Trump and Japan PM discuss tariffs, Israel's attacks against Iran
  • Scientists in Japan develop plastic that dissolves in seawater within hours
  • Clamping down: Once Japan, now China
  • Bangladesh-Japan ties strengthened by CA's visit: Press secretary

Features

The GLS600 overall has a curvaceous nature, with seamless blends across every panel. PHOTO: Arfin Kazi

Mercedes Maybach GLS600: Definitive Luxury

6h | Wheels
Renowned authors Imdadul Haque Milon, Mohit Kamal, and poet–children’s writer Rashed Rouf seen at Current Book Centre, alongside the store's proprietor, Shahin. Photo: Collected

From ‘Screen and Culture’ to ‘Current Book House’: Chattogram’s oldest surviving bookstore

23h | Panorama
Photos: Collected

Kurtis that make a great office wear

3d | Mode
Among pet birds in the country, lovebirds are the most common, and they are also the most numerous in the haat. Photo: Junayet Rashel

Where feathers meet fortune: How a small pigeon stall became Dhaka’s premiere bird market

4d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

Advisor involved in corruption by appointing city corporation administrator: Ishraq

Advisor involved in corruption by appointing city corporation administrator: Ishraq

17m | TBS Today
MI6 appoints first female chief in 116-year history

MI6 appoints first female chief in 116-year history

42m | TBS World
ICT orders newspapers ads summoning Hasina to appear before tribunal on 24 June

ICT orders newspapers ads summoning Hasina to appear before tribunal on 24 June

2h | TBS Today
Who was IRGC intelligence chief Kazemi killed in Israeli strike?

Who was IRGC intelligence chief Kazemi killed in Israeli strike?

3h | TBS World
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net