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An experimental satellite made out of wood has been launched into space.
一颗由木头制成的实验卫星已发射升空。
Japanese developers of the device say it is the first time a wooden satellite has ever been sent to space.
该设备的日本研发人员表示，这是首次将木制卫星送入太空。
The small satellite, called LignoSat, launched aboard an uncrewed Cargo Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS).
这颗名为“利诺卫星”的小型卫星搭载着无人货运飞船，被发射到了国际空间站(ISS)。
The satellite will later be released into orbit about 400 kilometers above Earth.
该卫星稍后将被释放到距地球约400公里的轨道上。
The satellite was built in the form of a box, with each side measuring about 10 centimeters.
这颗卫星是盒子的形状，每边长约10厘米。
It was developed jointly by researchers at Kyoto University and Japanese homebuilder Sumitomo Forestry.
它是由京都大学的研究人员和日本住宅建筑商“住友林业”联合开发的。
A spokeswoman for Sumitomo Forestry told the French news agency AFP that the launch of the satellite was “successful.”
“住友林业”的一位女发言人告诉法新社，卫星发射成功了。
She said the plan calls for the device to be released into orbit in about a month, when its strength and effectiveness will be tested.
她说，该计划要求在大约一个月后将该装置释放到轨道上，届时将对其强度和有效性进行测试。
While made mostly of wood, LignoSat contains electronic elements that will control its movements and collect data on its operation.
虽然主要由木头制成，但“利诺卫星”含有控制其运动并收集其运行数据的电子元件。
Once deployed, the satellite is expected to remain in orbit for about six months.
一旦部署，这颗卫星预计将在轨道上停留约六个月。
The main goal of the experimental satellite is to see whether wood material can be used to build additional satellites or other space equipment.
这颗实验卫星的主要目的是看看木质材料是否可以用来建造更多的卫星或其他空间设备。
Wood is considered more environmental friendly.
人们认为木材更环保。
This is because it can just burn up when reentering Earth’s atmosphere.
这是因为当它重新进入地球大气层时，它会燃烧殆尽。
Satellites and other materials made of metal can release polluting particles into the air and oceans upon reentry.
卫星和其他金属材料在重返大气层时会将污染颗粒释放到空气和海洋中。
International officials have already identified space junk as a growing problem.
国际官员已经认定太空垃圾是一个日益严重的问题。
This includes things like dead satellites, lost pieces of equipment or small pieces of paint.
这包括报废的卫星、丢失的设备或小块油漆。
Such objects can present threats to spacecraft and satellites operating in space.
这类物体可能对在太空中运行的航天器和卫星构成威胁。
Takao Doi is an astronaut who has flown on past space missions and studies human space activities at Kyoto University.
土井隆雄是一名宇航员，曾在过去的太空任务中飞行，并在京都大学研究人类太空活动。
He told Reuters he thinks wood can greatly improve future stays for long-term space travelers.
他告诉路透社，他认为木头可以极大地改善未来长期太空旅行者的停留时间。
"With timber, a material we can produce by ourselves, we will be able to build houses, live and work in space forever," Doi said.
隆雄说：“有了木材，这种我们可以自己生产的材料，我们将能够建造房屋，永远在太空中生活和工作。”
He added that the experiment is designed to demonstrate the abilities of wood to serve as a suitable material for developing future space equipment.
他补充说，该实验是为了证明木材作为开发未来太空设备的合适材料的能力。
"Early 1900s airplanes were made of wood," said Kyoto University forest science professor Koji Murata. "A wooden satellite should be feasible, too."
京都大学森林科学教授村田幸二说：“20世纪初的飞机就是用木头做的。”“木制卫星应该也是可行的。”
Murata noted that wood can last longer in space than on Earth because water or oxygen cannot burn or destroy it.
村田指出，木头在太空中可以比在地球上使用的时间更长，因为太空中没有水或氧气燃烧或毁坏它。
Doi said it is possible metal satellites could be banned in the future.
隆雄表示，未来可能会禁止金属卫星。
"If we can prove our first wooden satellite works, we want to pitch it to Elon Musk's SpaceX."
如果我们能证明第一颗木制卫星可以正常工作，我们想把它推荐给埃隆·马斯克的SpaceX。
The team said a 10-month experiment aboard the ISS found that honoki – a native tree in Japan and traditionally used to make sword covers – is well-suited for spacecraft.
该团队表示，在国际空间站上进行的为期10个月的实验发现，和诺木--一种原产于日本的树，传统上用来制造剑壳--非常适合用来做航天器。
LignoSat is made of honoki as part of a traditional Japanese crafting method that does not use screws or glue.
该卫星是用和诺木制成的，这是日本传统制作方法的一部分，不使用螺丝或胶水。
Kenji Kariya is a leader at Sumitomo Forestry Tsukuba Research Institute.
Kariya Kenji是“住友林业”筑波研究所的负责人。
He told Reuters the wooden satellite will also test the ability of the material to reduce the effects of space radiation on semiconductors.
他告诉路透社，这颗木制卫星还将测试这种材料在减少空间辐射对半导体影响方面的能力。
"It may seem outdated, but wood is actually cutting-edge technology as civilization heads to the moon and Mars."
“木头看起来可能过时了，但随着人类文明走向月球和火星，木头实际上是一种尖端技术。”
Kariya noted that expanding into space technologies could support the timber industry.
Kariya指出，太空探索技术可以支持木材行业。
I’m Bryan Lynn.
我是布莱恩 · 林恩。
