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Ammon News - Japanese researchers on Tuesday launched the world’s first wooden satellite into space in a milestone mission to test the use of wood in the exploration of other planets.

The 10cm-cube LignoSat, a product of a partnership between Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry, a logging company, is heading to the International Space Station on a SpaceX rocket into a 400km orbit around Earth, according to Kyodo News Agency.

Lignosat, whose name came from Latin, which means wood, was constructed from magnolia wood and designed to endure extreme temperatures and space radiation.

The mission will be to demonstrate the cosmic potential of renewable materials, at a time humans explore the possibility of inhabiting space.

The wooden satellite reduces environmental impacts at the end of its lifespan, scientists say, explaining that wood is more durable in space than on Earth because there is no water or oxygen to rot or ignite.

If it went as planned, timber could be used in future space exploration missions, according to scientists.