Development and validation of innovative, near real-time analytical tools to enable mitigation of contamination within cleanrooms of the UK spacecraft

The STFC Industrial CASE (Cooperative Awards in Science and Technology) studentship
provides a 3.5-year stipend that allows the student to spend periods of time on placement at
Airbus DS in Stevenage, UK. The cumulative placement period will be no less than 9 months
but this will be spread over the period of the studentship and will not normally exceed 18
months.
Protecting the space environment is a critical 21st century challenge to ensure the space
sector remains environmentally sustainable and socially responsible. For those that
manufacture space and satellite equipment, contamination resulting from surfaces, people
and materials is a particular problem that is poorly understood but could have serious
adverse impacts on extra-terrestrial environments.
Many materials used in the manufacture of spacecraft, particularly those used for bonding,
are silicone-based. This is because they are easy to use, work well in a large range of
temperatures, have good adhesion and are UV and ozone resistant. Certain silicones emit
low levels of volatile gases. However, in the space environment, there are both thermal and
vacuum effects that increase outgassing of certain compounds that can settle on sensitive
equipment causing parts, such as lenses, to become contaminated and image quality to be
reduced. If they are deposited on equipment that lands on a celestial body, this could
contaminate other natural environments, including those that might be habitable.
This studentship builds on a successful Open University/Airbus DS STFC Impact Accelerator
Account project (scheme can be found online) and will apply a novel approach to volatile
analysis within space sector cleanrooms.
The aims of this studentship are:
1. To identify, profile and catalogue volatile, semi-volatile and surface organic
compounds in cleanrooms and understand the influence of VOCs on bonding, and
cleaning methodologies.
2. To develop techniques, in partnership with the Airbus technical team, to help identify
individual contamination compounds, and assess risk of silicone contamination vs
cure.
3. To develop analytical strategies to then deal with real time contamination events.
4. To develop and optimise analytical methods for flight hardware, cleanroom surfaces
and air.
Training and skills:
The Open University (OU) is based in Milton Keynes where the student will receive training
in chromatography and mass spectrometry techniques to facilitate the identification of
organic compounds. These techniques will include Thermal Desorption Gas
Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (TD-GC-MS), additional headspace analysis
techniques, and Selective Ion Flow Tube Mass Spectrometry (SIFT-MS).
The student will receive training in M&P protocols in line with contamination control at Airbus'
Stevenage site, which focuses on spacecraft manufacturing and played a key role in the
assembly of the ExoMars rover. They will have the opportunity to shadow the M&P staff and
cleanliness control engineers when on site. They will learn how cleanrooms function, ISO
standards and why specialist clothing is required for the different ISO standards. They will be
able to observe the current laboratory techniques in use (FTIR) and be able to compare
these to their own methods/results.
The student will benefit from bespoke training organised by the School of Earth,
Environment and Ecosystem Sciences (EEES) and by AstrobiologyOU, including mandated
training, such as health and safety and laboratory skills. They will benefit from being a
member of a cross-school research group, with relevant in-house training. AstrobiologyOU
offers dedicated training events and seminars, including CV-writing support, managing
budgets and fellowship writing training. AstrobiologyOU is committed to identifying teaching
opportunities for any student that desires them and offering public engagement opportunities
to support communication