Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #30803: Wood in Space: Testing Timber in the Vacuum of Orbit

Wood is one of the oldest materials humans have used—but can it survive in space? That question drove a unique experiment led by Dr. Koji Murata and supported by JAXA. Researchers placed wooden samples on the exterior of the ISS to study how they fared against vacuum, radiation, and micrometeoroid impacts.

Surprisingly, the timber proved more durable than expected. Certain species maintained structural integrity and didn’t degrade as fast as anticipated. This opens doors to using wood in future space habitats or satellites—especially due to its sustainability, low weight, and ease of manufacturing.

The study also helps understand how traditional materials interact with new environments, encouraging hybrid approaches to spacecraft design. The aesthetic and environmental benefits of wood might one day play a role in space architecture.

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