PARTICULATE CONTAMINANTS: SOURCES OF CONTAMINATION

Always keep in mind that particulate contamination is a real threat to the proper operation of spacecraft and instrumentation. Instances of contamination problems leading to performance failures are well documented, from the Skylab and Voyager missions of the 1970’s right up to the present. With the increasing complexity and sophistication of today’s variety of missions, the unique and special considerations of cleanroom operations and procedures is critical for the continued success of our space flight programs.

Photo montage of the space shuttle and two satellites in orbit.
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Florida Space Research Institute ©2002