Monthly Archives: September 2021

26-Aug-2021

Cleaning | Design and Build | Hi Tech Manufacturing

The success of newcomer companies such as SpaceX shows one thing above all: there is a spirit of optimism in commercial space travel and there is one sector that will benefit from the growth of the aerospace market: cleanroom technology. Gernod Dittel and Berthold Vogt from Dittel Engineering talk about how the sectors works together

Not only private companies, but also state space agencies have set themselves ambitious goals. According to forecasts by management consultants, the global market for space technology will increase tenfold in the next 20 years to 2,700 billion euros (2040).

Many scientists, engineers, suppliers and service providers will benefit from this growth - and cleanroom technicians. Because almost all those involved in space travel have one thing in common: a cleanroom.

In space travel, it is the small things that make big projects fail. When an Ariane 4 was launched in 1990, it was a cleaning rag in a pipeline that caused the crash. In 1994 there were two false starts because dirt had paralysed a turbo pump. This happens not only to the European Space Agency (ESA). NASA needed five repair missions to iron out a manufacturing defect in the Hubble telescope. The primary mirror was ground a few micrometers too flat. This was found out too late, namely only at the top.

The examples show the special nature of technical requirements in space travel: Aggregates and satellites must be and remain 100% functional when they arrive at the site of operation and are to be operational in orbit for several decades. Once in space, repair and cleaning are usually impossible.

Even small particles are capable of endangering missions. Smeared optics, dirty solder joints, unclean bearings are weak points that must be prevented. The engineers have learned this in a painful and costly way, through error analysis after accidents.

Automation offers no way out; satellite integration remains a manual task

The most important consequence of this learning curve is the continuously developed cleanroom. Even its creation is closely connected with space travel.

In order to further develop the German V2 rocket, the Americans built one of the first technical cleanrooms for the assembly of gyroscopic devices. Because the control and monitoring functions of airplanes and rockets were to become more and more precise, the need for precision in production also increased.

Thus the further development of cleanroom technology supported the aerospace industry, just as it set trends for the cleanroom guild with its requirements and budgets. Maximising reliability, i.e. reducing the failure rate for launchers and payloads, is the essential contribution of today's cleanrooms to space travel. Satellites are created along a long cleanroom chain. This ranges from component production and integration to transport to the launch site and into space.

Apart from technology, the critical factor is always the human. He is the main source of contamination in the cleanroom, as he releases one to 30 million particles of the size >0.3 m per minute. Therefore the personnel active in the clean area carries special protective suits. These protect the product rather than the personnel - unlike suits for space travellers.

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The highest demands on purity are made by missiles that are to land on other celestial bodies. They must have neither particles nor germs on board. If spores or bacilli were to travel with them, they would falsify the measurements in the search for extraterrestrial life. They would also violate part of the Outer Space Treaty, signed in 1967 in the run-up to the Viking missions to Mars.

At that time, the US and the Soviet Union agreed to exercise caution, at least on the other side of the world. No foreign planet should be influenced in its development by the entry of terrestrial flora and fauna.

Meanwhile, 110 space travelling nations have joined this principle. Because such missions only rarely take place, existing cleanrooms are converted for their integration.

During work breaks UV lamps kill germs in the air. Assemblies are radioactively irradiated, gassed with chlorine or heated above 140C. Sterilisation measures are applied until a lower limit for the number of germs is reached. Completely germ-free integration is not possible. For this reason, comprehensive sterilisation is unavoidable for landing units.

At the other end of the spectrum of cleanliness requirements is the category "Visible Clean". This lowest of all classes does not exist in any set of regulations of other industries, only in the space standard ECSS-Q-ST-70-01C (European Cooperation for Space Standardization - ECSS).

Visible Clean is a standard for development labs, not for integration. The personnel constantly change between laboratory and office, there is no airlock. A pressure control is also missing and the air flow in the room is not defined. Only direct contamination by street clothes is prevented. Rooms of this lowest permissible level can also be described as ISO class 9 or as a basically controlled area.

All higher-class cleanrooms are air-conditioned. Their temperature is usually 22C (+/-3C) and their relative humidity is 55 % (+/-10 %). Controlled humidity protects electronic components: Dry air can cause electrical flashovers. ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) floors also prevent flashovers. ESD equipment includes dissipative clothing, shoes and gloves, all suitable for preventing voltages above 100 volts.

Other equipment features include specially equipped cranes with encapsulated drive units and coated belts. This is because impellers generate abrasion while lubricated suspension ropes outgas.

Satellites that only have electronic components such as radar or communication systems on board have medium requirements. Most satellites originate from cleanrooms of ISO Class 7 and 8, but their sensitive components deserve more attention. These satellites are also equipped with star sensors for autonomous (self-sufficient) positioning, and with attitude control systems that operate with liquid or gas. The valves must be tight. Leakage shortens the service life. These components are usually covered during integration.

Missions to other celestial bodies are rare so existing cleanrooms are converted for their integration

In ISO Class 8, an air exchange with conditioned filtered air takes place up to 40 times per hour. There is an overpressure of 20 to 30 Pascal in the room. Laser particle sensors monitor that no more than 3,520,000 particles of size 0.5 m and 29,300 particles of size 5 m per minute per m3; are in the air. ISO Class 7 shows 352,000 particles of size 0.5 m and 2,930 particles of size 5 m.

The cleanroom itself has requalification and calibration once a year.

Cleanroom gowns or overalls, cleanroom shoes and headgear are mandatory, as is a beard bandage for beard wearers. Anyone handling the aircraft must wear gloves. Components only enter and leave the aircraft through airlocks. Although it is a cleanroom, the room is not dust-free and must be cleaned according to plan and regulations. Contaminants are deposited in quiet zones on the ground or on surfaces. Once a day a mop and distilled water is used to wipe the room.

Satellites with extremely sensitive optical systems, such as reconnaissance satellites, are integrated in a Class 5 cleanroom. Particles on optical surfaces increase the scattered light component, while molecular impurities cause spectral interference. Cleaning with a soft brush is time-consuming and can scratch the coating. After washing, streaks may remain. Priority is therefore given to trying to avoid all contamination. Thus, no silicone should be used in the cleanroom. Silicone evaporates in >20 years, thus releasing molecules.

Vapours during operation must be eliminated via the ventilation system. A vertical low-turbulence displacement flow from the ceiling to the floor is ideal.

Another possibility is a horizontal flow. The discharge surface consists of a grille with many Filter Fan Units with fan and terminal filter. Surfaces of workbenches/worktables are usually perforated to allow the air to flow through without creating disturbing turbulences. Employees enter the ISO 5 cleanroom via an airlock system of cleanroom classes ISO 7/8, where they adjust their clothing to the higher requirements.

When looking into the future of cleanrooms for space travel, the higher requirements and costs stand out. The integration of a satellite with a length of about 5 m requires an area of about 300 sqm. The price per sqm is based on a usage fee of several 100 euros per day. This means that the cleanroom costs alone already swallow up millions.

When dealing with these costs, it can be seen in commercial projects that tenants tend to choose a cheaper, i.e. too low cleanroom class or reduce the useful life. Automation offers no way out; satellite integration remains a manual task.

Especially optical systems increase the requirements for cleanrooms. They should look further and further into space or take more detailed pictures of the earth. Humans currently see only a fraction of the estimated 10 billion trillion stars. A deeper look into space requires more precise technologies.

One example of this is the ESA project ATHENA, an X-ray telescope with a mirror construction made of millions of micrometre-sized silicon wafers. Miniature satellites with edge lengths of just 10 cm also require higher cleanroom quality.

The more miniaturised the systems are, the more sensitive they are to dust. In the future, such satellites will have to be integrated in rooms of class ISO 5 or higher. This can be achieved in a cost-conscious manner by establishing a higher class only for a limited area.

Even this will not be enough for satellites with sophisticated optical systems. They no longer focus on particles alone, but on molecules (AMC - Airborne Molecular Contamination), especially organic components in the air.

If an employee even breathes on a solar panel, there is a measurable reduction in performance. This is permanent, and cleaning does not change this. Molecules can be filtered out with non-specific activated carbon filters for supply and circulating air. A standard that will soon be available in every cleanroom of ISO class 5. Stricter standards must also be applied to the measurement technology. Up to now, after several days of exposure to a sampler, only a subsequent analysis can be performed. In order to eliminate sources immediately, it would be necessary to measure in real time.

Satellite integration requires many transports. The weakest link in the chain determines the final quality. Therefore, the conditions for transport must be the same as for integration. The transport container is in principle a robust mobile cleanroom of Class 8 including climate control.

It is often flooded with dry nitrogen and pressurised under slight overpressure. Before the satellite fuselage enters from above or from the side, the roughly pre-cleaned transport container is finely cleaned in an air lock.

The container only meets the satellite in the main airlock. Bulky attachments like solar collector and antennas travel separately. When transporting with a flatbed truck, shocks may only be transmitted in a damped manner. For this purpose, the container and the satellite's supporting structure are decoupled by spring elements.

The satellite is put through its paces in test centres with large ISO Class 7 and 8 cleanrooms, which are not available at every integration site. Access to the test facilities, in which space conditions such as negative pressure, temperature scenarios and vibrations are simulated, is from a central cleanroom.

Satellite integration requires many transports

On the "shaker", the satellite is shaken in the same way as during launch. If components break off in the process, the mountings can be reinforced or redesigned and dimensioned in good time. In order not to unnecessarily increase the quality requirements for the cleanroom, sensitive subsystems are covered. After successful tests, the satellites are brought directly to the launch site, usually by cargo plane. A transport container for air transport must meet the requirements of the IATA (International Air Transport Association). These include a bursting disk that ensures pressure equalisation when the cabin pressure drops.

Cleanroom quality must also be maintained at the launch site. Either the satellite is assembled in a cleanroom in a separate closed payload capsule. The advantage of the spatial separation of integration room and rocket is bought with an additional adapter. Another possibility is to mount the satellite directly on the carrier. In this case, the interface level of the carrier to the payload extends into a cleanroom where the satellite is placed and connected with a clamping ring. Before the outer hull (fairing) is closed, a check is made to see whether stowaways have crept in.

But not only these are responsible for contamination, the atmosphere itself is also responsible. In Internet forums, technicians report on geckos and spider webs that had to be prevented from travelling, whether by nitrogen flooding or with the help of a vacuum cleaner. When the outer shell is blown off at an altitude of 100 km, the atmosphere is so thin that there is no longer any risk of contamination from stowaways.

As hard as humanity is trying to send up its sky messengers in a clean state, it is negligent with its satellites at the other end of the life cycle.

At the end of March 2020, 2,700 functional satellites were orbiting the earth, 1,300 of them from the US.

However, they are in the company of around 17,000 satellites that are either broken or no longer needed. The ESA model MASTER-2005 assumes that there are more than 600,000 objects with a diameter of more than 10 mm in orbits around the Earth. Other simulations estimate 150 million objects in mm size. The US Space Surveillance System continuously keeps track of objects larger than 50 mm. When approaching, evasive manoeuvres are required and the ISS space station is also forced to make course corrections from time to time.

The ideas for a cleaning crew range from space vacuum cleaners to the shooting of space debris.

Whichever cleaning method is used, there is a lot of work waiting for the space nations if they want to clean up in Earth orbit. If they succeed in sweeping up in front of their doorstep, this would prove the effort of mankind to settle down in the solar system in the long run - in order to set off from here perhaps later to new worlds.

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No space exploration without cleanrooms: What makes them so special? - Cleanroom Technology

Published: Mon 30 Aug 2021, 5:47 PM

Last updated: Wed 1 Sep 2021, 5:14 AM

One of Ireland's leading science communicators is set to host a very interesting talk on space exploration in Birr Theatre and Arts Centre next week.

Dr. Niamh Shaw is an engineer, scientist, writer and performer and one the leading STEAM specialists (merging science, technology, engineering and matchs" and she will be in Birr on Wednesday, September 8 nect, at 7.30pm for a public talk titled "Space Exploration - do we care?"

Dr. Shaw will speak about the relevance of space in society, what the perspective of space can show us, and why space exploration is important to us and our futures.

Weve all looked up at the night sky and seen the moon, the stars and perhaps more. Space has inspired so many: it inspires artists, philosophers & cosmologists to consider the big questions about our existence and who we are in the vastness of our Universe. It inspires space agencies and now private companies to seek what lies beyond. And at this time, its given great comfort to many of us, reminding us that we are part of something bigger, and that this pandemic will pass. Niamh, who believes in dreaming big, and is on a mission to get to space, will take us on a journey to understand how far we have come since humans landed on the Moon in 1969, and why she believes that we need to keep exploring the cosmos.

As part of the 'Exploring Birr Skies' community project which is inspired by Birr's astronomy heritage from the time of William Parsons, 3rd Earl of Rosse (1800 - 1867) to I-LOFAR's astrophysical observing facility within Birr Castle Demesne, Niamh will be in Birr throughout September hosting a range of additional activities including:

* a walking tour of I-LOFAR on Wed Sept 15 at 6pm with Dr. ine Flood from the Education Centre at Birr Castle Demesne,

* A Night Sky Stargazing event in association with Midlands Astronomy Club on Culture Night, Fri Sept 17, from 8.30pm at Birr Castle Demesne, and

* On Thurs Sept 23 at Birr Theatre, the screening of 'Contact', a 1997 American science fiction film directed by Robert Zemeckis, based on the 1985 novel by astronomer and planetary scientist Carl Sagan, about a SETI scientist who finds evidence of extraterrestrial life and is chosen to make first contact. For

Full information on the upcoming programme of events and getting involved in the accompanying stitching project, go to http://www.birrtheatre.com

To book your place for 'Space exploration - do we care?' with Dr. Niamh Shaw on Wed Sept 8, 7.30pm, go to http://www.birrtheatre.com or ring 057 9122911 (Mon- Fri: 2 5pm). As places are limited booking is essential. All events will take place in line with current government guidelines. See website for future details.

'Exploring Birr Skies' is a community project in collaboration with Birr Theatre & Arts Centre, Birr Tidy Towns, Birr Castle Demesne and AstroLands with I-LOFAR, led by Trinity College Dublin. Supported by the Creative Ireland Programme (2017 -2022) in partnership with Offaly County Council.

Published: Mon 30 Aug 2021, 5:47 PM

Last updated: Wed 1 Sep 2021, 5:14 AM

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Birr Theatre to host public talk on space exploration - Offaly Independent

What You Need to Know

Space may be the final frontier, but is it a good investment, or even an accessible one?

The rise of companies like Jeff Bezos Blue Origin, Elon Musks SpaceX andRichard Bransons Virgin Galactic has piqued investors interest. But investors who choose to explore this theme through ETFs should know what theyre really buying.

There are about a half-dozen ETFs that focus on public companies involved in space exploration and aerospace. None of them include shares of Blue Origin or SpaceX, which are privately held.

Richard Bransons Virgin Galactic is publicly traded, under the SPCE ticker, but its not currently among the top 15 holdings of any of the space-linked ETFs described below (Cathie Woods Ark Space Exploration and Innovation ETF sold its shares of SPCE earlier this year).

Also, SPCE has gained just 7% year to date, about one-third of the appreciation of the S&P 500 and one-half the gains of the Russell 2000 index.

Another consideration for investors is how space-linked ETFs define their universe, and therefore their investments. The second largest holding in Woods Space Exploration and Innovation ETF (ARKX), for example, is the firms own 3D Printing ETF, and the fund also includes companies like Netflix and Deere, known for the tractors it manufactures.

Asked about these last two holdings on CNBC in May, Wood said the real money-making opportunity is not space tourism [but] mobile connectivity, which uses satellites from companies like SpaceX to connect the unconnected masses to the internet, enabling them to access Netflix.

Deere will benefit from drones and weather satellites that make farming more efficient, said Wood.

ARKX holds many companies not specifically tied to space/defense, said Todd Rosenbluth, head of ETF and mutual fund research at CFRA.

Weve compiled a list of space-linked ETFs, including those that fall under the label of aerospace and defense because of the overlap between the two investment areas, and include some vital information for investors.

Most of the funds are non-diversified. The performance data is based on the market close on Aug. 26, and the fund descriptions are largely based on Morningstars fund analyses.

Assets under management: $672 million

Expenses: 0.75%

Inception date: March 30, 2021

Actively managed

Performance: +0.7% since inception

Top holdings: Trimble, Ark 3D Printing ETF, Kratos Defense & Security

The fund invests at least 80% of its assets in domestic and foreign equity securities of companies engaged in space exploration and innovation, including companies that lead, enable or benefit from technologically enabled products and/or services that occur beyond the surface of the earth.

These include satellite and launch vehicle companies; companies involved in 3D printing, artificial intelligence and robotics; and companies that benefit from aerospace activities including agriculture, global positioning systems and drone manufacturers.

Assets under management: $124.5 million

Expenses: 0.75%

Inception date: April 11, 2019

Index: tracks the S-Network Space Index

Performance: +17.16% year-to-date

Top holdings: Garmin Ltd., Trimble, DISH Network Corp., Class A

The fund invests at least 80% of net assets in companies of the underlying index that receive at least 50% of their revenues or profits from space-related businesses. The index is an equity benchmark for a globally traded portfolio of companies engaged in space-related businesses such as satellite technology.

Communication services and technology are the top two sectors for investments.

Assets under management: $21.4 million

Expenses: 0.45%

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6 Space ETFs to Explore: ARKX, UFO, ITA and More - ThinkAdvisor

FRANKFURT, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MV Index Solutions GmbH (MVIS) announced today the launch of the MVIS Global Space Industry Index (ticker: MVSPC).

The MVIS Global Space Industry Index (ticker: MVSPC) tracks the performance of the largest and most liquid companies in the global space segment. The index includes companies that generate at least 50% of their revenue from operating segments that comprise of space-related products and services in the following areas: Space Exploration, Rockets and Propulsion Systems, Satellite Equipment and Communications Solutions, and Other Satellite Equipment. This launch also marks a momentous occasion, as it is the first MVIS index to follow ESG criteria. With more and more space-related companies becoming ESG-conscious, the segment will attract an increase of ESG investors.

The MVIS Global Space Industry Index (ticker: MVSPC) is weighted by free-float market capitalisation and is reviewed on a quarterly basis. It is calculated in USD as a price index and total return net index. Detailed information about the indices, including methodology details and index data are available on the MV Index Solutions website.

Key Index FeaturesMVIS Global Space Industry Index (ticker: MVSPC) Number of Components: 25Base Date: 31 December 2019Base Value: 1000

Note to Editors:

About MV Index Solutions - http://www.mvis-indices.com

MV Index Solutions (MVIS) develops, monitors and licenses the MVIS Indices and BlueStar Indexes, a selection of focused, investable and diversified benchmark indices. The indices are especially designed to underlie financial products. MVIS Indices cover several asset classes, including equity, fixed income markets and digital assets and are licensed to serve as underlying indices for financial products. Approximately USD 31.57 billion in assets under management (as of 31 August 2021) are currently invested in financial products based on MVIS/BlueStar Indices. MVIS is a VanEck company.

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MVIS Launches the MVIS Global Space Industry Index - Business Wire