Antwerp Space opens cleanroom for new ESA projects
The Belgium company makes satellite equipment and components for international space projects
Antwerp Space – a subsidiary of Europe’s third largest aerospace group, the Germany-based OHB – has officially opened its new cleanroom, in the presence of Belgian State Secretary for Science Policy Elke Sleurs and Mayor of Antwerp, Bart De Wever.
Antwerp Space’s new cleanroom in Hoboken (with a ground surface of 100m² and a height of 3m) is designated ISO Class 8.
It will offer a protected environment in which the level of dust particles, the temperature (around 22°) and the relative humidity (about 55%) are strictly managed, to avoid corrosion or electrical breakdowns.
Starting November 2016, Antwerp Space will be using its new cleanroom for the production and integration of components for key prestigious space programmes for the European Space Agency (ESA).
'The inauguration of this cleanroom means a milestone in the history of Antwerp Space. Our facilities are now meeting all standards to integrate and test all kinds of satellite subsystems and components. This investment allows us to continue our ambitious plans for the future,' said Oliver Salisch, MD of Antwerp Space.
'The investment made by Antwerp Space for this new cleanroom is a tangible sign of the company's ambition for future space programmes. I look forward to the role Antwerp Space will play in current and future key ESA missions', said the Secretary of State Elke Sleurs.
Bart De Wever, said: 'As mayor of the city of Antwerp, I take great pride in knowing that a local company is providing its expertise and know-how for European missions to Mars and Jupiter. Hopefully someday people will associate our city not only with its port and the diamond trade, but also with its role in space exploration.'
Antwerp Space develops systems and satellite equipment, satellite ground control stations for the reception of data from observation satellites and for the control of spacecrafts, as well as test systems used during the integration of satellites.
