Pre-launch satellite testing

The specialist environments, advanced processes, precision manufacturing and rigorous test capabilities at the AITC are all essential to meet the needs of the astronomical community, and also make the AITC a world-class facility for the assembly, integration and test of space-based instruments and small satellites.

The AITC is intended to be part of Australia's technological tool box, available to all academic, industry and research organisations.

The AITC offers end-to-end professional services and capability for the design, manufacture, integration and test of precision instrumentation and complex systems.  The AITC actively supports the development of future capability through industry-focused workshops, academic programs, technical training and practical placements.

Integration and Test Capability

Cleanroom Facilities

Large Cleanroom

  • Large high-bay cleanroom (110m2)
  • Cleanliness ISO Class 7 (Class 10,000)
  • 2-tonne gantry crane; 4.5m hook height
  • Electrically-conductive flooring & ESD-safe workstations
  • Temperature and relative humidity controlled

Detector Cleanroom

  • Small cleanroom facility (30m2)
  • Cleanliness ISO Class 7 (Class 10,000)

Portable Clean Tent

  • Portable clean tent to reduce work area contamination
  • Can be used in conjunction with thermal, vacuum and vibration testing

Thermal & Vacuum Test Facilities

Space Simulation Facility (S2F)

  • Test envelope 1.5m x 2m x 2.7m
  • 500kg capacity
  • Vacuum thermal cycling and soak
  • Temperature range from -150C to +150C
  • Vacuum <10-6Torr

Space Simulation Facility (Thruster Test Configuration)

  • Test envelope 3m diameter x 3.7m long
  • 25kg capacity
  • Thrust measurement (mN resolution)
  • 180,000 litres/sec plume capture

Thermal Cycling Facility

  • Ambient pressure thermal cycling
  • Test chamber 1m3
  • -30C to +80C controlled humidity environment

Vibration and Shock Test Facilities

  • LDS V850-440 LPT600 Electrodynamic shaker
  • Sinusoidal, RMV, QSL and shock
  • Test item structural and modal analysis
  • Initial capacity for a 25kg test item (22.2kN RMS)

3D Printing (Fortus 400mc)

  • Fused deposition modelling
  • Ability to print in vacuum compatible materials
  • 0.4m x 0.35m x 0.4m build envelope
  • +/- 0.127mm accuracy

EMC Chamber

  • Frankonia UCC-L chamber with ferrite and pyramid absorbers
  • 4.2m x 3m x 2.5m (internal)
  • Radiated and conducted susceptibility and interference testing
  • 30MHz - 18GHz frequency range

Mass Properties Measurement

  • Moment of inertia (20kg capacity)
  • Centre of gravity (20kg capacity)

Material Processes

  • Gross and precision cleaning
  • Plasma cleaning
  • Thermal and optical properties surface treatment
  • Corrosion control treatment
  • Adhesive bonding and vacuum impregnation