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It's really interesting to me that people write these sort of messages in this context. The context being multiple companies with actual material scientists that think this is viable, and that are investing actual dollars into this idea.

My first assumption when thinking about wood is the one that you are having. But my second assumption would be that they've probably thought about the same things.

We are in a post-hyperloop, post-spinlaunch, post-theranos, post-oceangate world. You can't trust that any project is not just there to generate VC hype.

But we are talking about multiple companies considering the same approach. By definition it shouldn't be vapourware.

I would imagine the wood would be processed.

Conditions in space are extreme but at least they are stable and known so i'd bet we would know how to treat the wood for this environment.

"Engineered wood" is a whole field. It's basically an organic composite, a slightly more flexible form of carbon fiber.

Take another look at the article; it addresses exactly this.