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