Western Australia has taken a giant leap towards becoming a major player in the space industry with the official opening of a dedicated satellite cleanroom capability at Edith Cowan University (ECU).
Working with Australian Earth Observation company LatConnect 60 (LC60 AI), the facility will be used to assemble a Low Earth Orbit satellite to gather high-resolution data on carbon emissions.
The project marks an important step toward WA’s first commercial high-resolution Earth Observation satellite assembly capability, building on the State’s existing university-led spacecraft programs and space infrastructure.
The cleanroom, which received $3.5 million in State Government funding, is part of a long-term effort to establish WA as a centre for satellite assembly, integration and testing, moving the State higher up the chain in the global space economy.
The cleanroom was built to ISO 6 (Class 1000) standards. It was upgraded through close collaboration between LC60 engineers and ECU’s technical teams to meet the strict environmental requirements needed for optical equipment and sensitive satellite electronics.
Within two weeks of its opening, the facility will begin work to install a high-resolution short-wave optical payload, into a satellite ahead of launch. LC60 is building the Short Wave Infra-Red Satellite (SWIRSAT) constellation, a planned group of between 9 to 18 Australian earth observation satellites to be assembled at ECU as capability matures.
Designed as a common use facility, the cleanroom will also be available to other organisations for future satellite and payload builds. LC60’s satellite is scheduled for launch in February.
Speaking exclusively to CCN about the cleanroom ventilation system, ECU’s Deputy Vice Chancellor Research, Professor Paulo de Souza said in simple terms the ventilation system is divided into three aspects.
He said air flows from the ceiling. As a result, all particles will be pushed to the floor.
“Turbulence in the air floor is avoided as much as possible to prevent resuspension. Only particles with diameter equal or below a tenth of a mm will be suspended,” De Souza said.
“Air pressure is higher inside the room. So, if you open the door to the room, air goes out never in. Finally air is captured from the floor, goes into very thin filters and pumped back from the ceiling of the room cleared.”
If the room is a class 100 (highest level of clearance ECU can achieve here), all furniture and the floor will have holes for the air to flow through with particles.