January 28, 2026
Space pirates shop at IKEA
Satellites encased in wood are in the works
The internet argues: eco-genius or IKEA-in-orbit stunt
TLDR: Kyoto University’s wood-encased LignoSat lost contact after launch from the ISS, but sparked a fierce debate: clever green design or old idea with a PR glow. Commenters split between “superwood” optimism and “nothing new” skepticism, with spicy chatter about stealth, insulation perks, and fewer debris on re-entry.
“Shiver me timbers,” indeed. Kyoto University’s LignoSat—made with magnolia wood—was booted off the International Space Station in 2024 and promptly ghosted Mission Control. Still, the community can’t stop arguing whether a wooden satellite is a breakthrough or a gimmick. One camp is rolling its eyes: it’s been done, they say, pointing to older missions and even China’s recoverable craft from the 1970s (link). Another commenter even tossed in a spicy twist: wood helps “stealth a satellite,” sending conspiracy-minded imaginations into orbit.
On the hype side, people are buzzing about “superwood” that’s pressure-treated to be stronger than steel (link). Fans list the perks: cheaper material, less vibration for delicate instruments, natural insulation that saves power, radio transparency so antennas can hide inside, and a cleaner burn-up on re-entry—no junkyard in the sky. A claim that wood could mean “lower drag” sparked instant nitpicks, because of course it did. Meanwhile, meta drama brewed as some called this a “recycled post” and dug up older threads (HN link).
The jokes? Off the charts. “IKEA satellite” memes, “flat-pack cubesat” quips, and pirate puns galore. Whether it’s eco-genius or space cosplay, the crowd is loud, split, and wildly entertained.
Key Points
- •LignoSat was deployed from the International Space Station on December 9, 2024, but its communications failed.
- •Much of LignoSat’s structure was made from magnolia wood.
- •Kyoto University built the satellite and chose magnolia for strength, workability, and proven resilience in space.
- •Previous ISS experiments had demonstrated certain woods’ resilience to the space environment.
- •The article suggests timber can be cheaper, potentially superior to metal alloys for some uses, and may be less polluting.