Pesky leaks on the International Space Station aren’t the most serious issue facing U.S. human spaceflight In the hostile conditions beyond Earth, a spacecraft is all that stands between an astronaut and certain death.

Space exploration often invokes the idea of durable, cutting-edge materials that can withstand extreme environmental challenges. But scientists in Japan suspect we don’t need to abandon one of the oldest building blocks known to humanity to explore the final frontier; they’re preparing to launch a wooden satellite into orbit.

Friday will see a new event for the International Space Station (ISS) as a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft is used to boost its altitude for the first time. As drag works on the space station, its altitude gradually degrades over time,

The first satellite in space made mostly of wood arrived at the International Space Station on Tuesday along with other research and supplies.