Japanese scientists have developed the world’s first wooden satellite, set to launch on a test mission next Tuesday. Named “LignoSat,” this innovative satellite was created by a team of researchers from Kyoto University in partnership with Sumitomo Forestry, a Japanese home construction firm.

Professor Koji Murata from Kyoto University’s Department of Forest Science stated that the choice of launch vehicle has yet to be finalized. LignoSat may be sent aboard the Orbital Sciences Cygnus, an ISS supply vehicle, or it may launch later on the SpaceX Dragon cargo rocket.

The satellite, which is smaller than a coffee mug, is expected to remain in orbit for at least six months before re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere.

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