[jcl]

I wasn’t sure what the article meant by “no screws or glue”, when the photograph appears to have visible screws. But closer images show that these are apparently some sort of rivet?

I found a (Japanese-language-only) news piece that shows some of the crafting and assembly of the satellite, and the box body certainly holds together by itself, via some beautifully intricate joinery:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_F-NzzC7RA

[sithadmin]

It looks like there's a metal(?) frame with rivets, screws used to secure internal electronic components, and the internal wood 'body' seems to be assembled with fastener-less joinery. There are some photos of the cubesat without the frame here: https://www.infoespacial.com/texto-diario/mostrar/4304727/ja...

[teucris]

Site with some photos: https://www.nanosats.eu/sat/lignosat

[teeray]

I kinda want a Norm Abram PBS special on wood satellite crafting techniques

[hinkley]

He would need at least 4 routers to make this box. Time to start sending him 1/4" routers to complement his full sized ones.

[detourdog]

And biscuits.

[sakras]

Indeed it's a woodworking technique called Sashimono which doesn't use any glue or screws, just precise cuts to join wood together.

[noman-land]

The Japanese and amazing joinery, name a better combo. So delightful.

[hinkley]

I don't speak Japanese, but I can read "10cm" on the video overlay which seems to be about right.

10cm cube has a volume of 1 liter (10^3 ml). That's very wee.

[danpalmer]

That's the standard for a "cubesat". I believe the industry has standardised on 10cm^3 units for these satellites so that "ridesharing" or multi-party launches can work with less back and forth on systems integration between the satellite being launched and the launch vehicle.

[thenobsta]

Apropos, youtube gave me a Harbor Freight ad before watching this video :D