The first part of this series looked at the amount of payload that will be needed with our expansion into space. Having large, reusable rockets launching frequently means that a very large about of payload will be needed. Much, much more that is being produced right now.

To enable more payload to be produced, we will need to take deliberate steps in order to keep up. One of these first steps is to look at the use of clean rooms for space payload manufacturing.

Clean Rooms

Traditionally, spacecraft assembly happened in clean rooms to prevent contamination.

However, this slows down production due to stringent environmental controls. It also means that current mass production facilities cannot be used - even if for the same item.

SpaceX has adapted clean room use by having different levels during different parts of the manufacturing of it ships and components.

For upcoming missions, especially when colonizing the Moon and Mars, a lot of general payload is needed.

Settlers will need to take things like building material, machinery, tools, and general equipment. Will all these things still need to be made in clean rooms?

To get the required amount of payload ready in time, these rules need to be softened.

When space was just about science and experimentation it made sense. But to build a Cybertruck or a digger or a wheelbarrow?

Will the spades used to digger soil need to be clean - or build it clean rooms - I think not.

Imagine every time you went on a plane, you and everything you took needed to be from a clean room environment - it doesn't make sense.

Yes, there is the danger of taking something to Mars that survives the journey and we don't like it, but the plan is to send people - to live. Given that it's impossible to sanitize people completely, then maybe some rules aren't needed.

Finding the balance between the right level of cleanliness of things going to space, and the general nature of when it's required, let's actually work out what level of clean room is needed and what is not.

Next . . .

Part 2 of the How to Ensure More Space Payload will look at manufacturing all this payload.