Dust particles that would remain on satellite components could, in space, cause malfunctions of electronics and fine mechanical components or sensor contamination. It is therefore vital to ensure that they are not contaminated with these particles or, for example, grease when launched into space.

The new cleanrooms meet the conditions of ISO 8, meaning that the maximum concentration of airborne particles ≥5 μm is 29,300 particles per cubic metre of air, and the maximum concentration of particles ≥ 0.5 μm is 3,520,000 particles per cubic metre of air. The incoming air is filtered through HEPA filters. The temperature and humidity of the air are regulated, and a slight overpressure is maintained in the cleanrooms compared to the surrounding environment. The facility also includes an extensive HVAC system. Entry into the cleanrooms is permitted only in special clothing.

The new cleanrooms offer a workspace of approximately 170 m2. They are equipped with a material airlock that allows handling of large and heavy satellites. Integration can take place at several workstations, enabling multiple satellite projects to be worked on simultaneously. In the future, the cleanrooms will be further expanded to incorporate new technologies, such as a thermal vacuum chamber for testing larger satellites and their components.

Shortly after opening, work will commence on two satellites of the VZLUGEM mission (www.vzlugem.cz), which focuses on technologies for detecting and examining objects in orbit. The AMBIC (www.ambic.cz) and QUVIK (www.quvik.cz) satellites, selected by the Czech Ministry of Transport and the European Space Agency (ESA) as “ambitious Czech missions”, will also be integrated there.

“The opening of the new cleanrooms is another step in expanding VZLU AEROSPACE’s capabilities in space technologies. It follows the establishment of the Space Operation Centre with its own ground station, which was opened last year. This once again extends our possibilities,” said Josef Kašpar, General Director of VZLU AEROSPACE.

VZLU AEROSPACE is a national aviation and space centre. It has integrated satellites such as VZLUSAT-1 (the longest-communicating Czech and Czechoslovak satellite in orbit) and VZLUSAT-2 (the first Czech satellite to capture HD images of the Czech Republic). This year, the SATurnin-1 satellite was launched into space, a mission that supports national security and captures images of key locations on Earth. The VZLUGEM, AMBIC and QUVIK missions will follow soon. VZLU AEROSPACE has also contributed to numerous ESA missions, including the development of Proba-3 satellites, launched into orbit in December 2024, and the testing of the Ariane 6 launcher structure.

Source: VZLU AEROSPACE (https://www.vzlu.cz/)