Investigation of wood as a load-bearing material for orbiting satellites using high-resolution Synchrotron-CT

Swiss Wood Solutions AG is a leading Greentech company based in Altdorf, Switzerland. Through the development of unique and patented wood densification processes, they transform sustainable wood from domestic forestry into high-performance materials, with properties that match or even surpass those of tropical timber, plastics or metals. Their wide range of products includes musical instruments, sports equipment, credit cards and tools, among others. 

Current satellites are mainly made of aluminium. Upon re-entry, this material oxidizes and the molecules produced are believed to hinder the ozone layer in our atmosphere. Moreover, aluminium cannot be locally and sustainably sourced, which can create supply chain bottlenecks. This study focuses on investigating densified wood as a possible substitute for aluminium in satellites so that both these issues could be circumvented. 

As part of a project partnership with Swiss Wood Solutions AG, ANAXAM investigated various densified wood samples as a potential material for orbiting satellites. These samples will then be sent to the International Space Station (ISS) and remain in orbit for six months. 

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ANAXAM’s applied materials analytics using high-resolution synchrotron CT were used to visualize if the densified wood samples react differently to non-densified wood samples after the space exposure.

When the sample will be back from space they will be re-analysed and compared to the initial state for possible changes in the wood structure. In this way, it will be possible to understand the behaviour of densified wood under the vacuum, wide temperature range and low-humidity conditions in space.