Previous articles on Clean Rooms discussed their use to build satellites and the rationale behind using them. On the surface, this seems to be a reasonable situation, and in some cases may continue to be so.

In this article, the focus is on whether using clean rooms continues to be a workable option given the amount of payload to space that will be required soon.

During 2023 and 2024, the payload mass to orbit was approximately 1,400 and 1,500 tons, respectively.

However, in the near future, the amount of payload mass needed for space will increase markedly.

Increased Payload

Future payloads will increase:

• 150 tons of payload to the Moon, up to once a week, but at least once a month.
• 500 Starships with 150 tons each to Mars every two years, totaling 75,000 tons.

This is only the regular payloads on Starship from SpaceX. There are a number of other rocket companies coming on stream with reusable rockets, which will also add considerably to the payload needs.

Some of these payloads will be sensitive equipment, but much of it will not be. There will be everything from clothes to diggers, from tools to construction materials.

Do all these items need clean rooms? How do we decide which do and which are ok without them?

And Then There Are People!

People are also starting to frequent space in larger numbers. Some will go to space stations, many to the Moon and Mars.

People are essentially very large carriers of all kinds of organisms. Pretty much anything a person uses would largely defeat the purpose of clean rooms.

It is still important to build things clean, but are clean rooms more than what is needed?

Conclusion

Clean rooms have been key in satellite production due to the need to prevent contamination, ensuring precision, reliability, longevity, and scientific integrity of space missions. Their role remains important for sensitive components, as evidenced by both traditional aerospace practices and changes by companies like SpaceX.

However, with the expected increase in space payload, including a wide variety of materials and people, there's a growing discussion on the need to change clean room standards.

While the core principle of keeping things clean is important for mission success, there might be room for reevaluating how and when these conditions are used.

Discussions need to be had to decide where clean rooms are indispensable and where they might be more than what's required, potentially leading to faster and more cost-effective satellite and component manufacturing procedures as space payload needs continue to increase.

Clean Rooms sometimes - just be pragmatic about the need.