UK Space Command, part of the UK’s Ministry of Defence, has been on the journey to build a new satellite called Tyche.
Tyche is capable of capturing daytime images and videos of Earth.
In order to build the new satellite, the company enlisted Surrey Satellite Technology and Monmouth Scientific.
Surrey Satellite Technology designed and assembled Tyche.
Monmouth is a cleanroom expert and provided a modular cleanroom for the project.
Tyche is the first satellite launched under the UK’s Ministry of Defence’s ISTARI programme
Launched into orbit in August 2024, the project promises stronger intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.
Tyche
Tyche is the first satellite launched under the UK’s Ministry of Defence’s ISTARI programme, which aims to deploy a constellation of satellites with supporting ground systems by 2031.
This new surveillance will offer more than just support to military operations. It also strengthens:
- Natural Disaster Monitoring
- Environmental Tracking
- Climate Change Assessment
- Development of Mapping Information
Tyche stands at the forefront of the ISTARI initiative, setting a high standard for the advanced imaging capabilities that will follow.
The modular cleanroom for project Tyche
Monmouth Scientific’s Modular Cleanroom provided a controlled environment for assembling Tyche’s Imager. Contamination monitoring had to be precise to ensure accurate alignment of mirrors and trusses.
Monmouth Scientific provided a modular cleanroom
HEPA filtration ensured ISO Class clean air to protect the sensitive payloads. The manufacturing cell eliminated contaminants and ensured the precise optical components remained pristine.
Tickets for the Cleanroom Technology Conference are now available for £99! This year, we’re featuring speakers from AstraZeneca, Novartis, STERIS, and more. Get yours here.
Steve Knox, Head of Payloads at SSTL said: “The main imager alignment took place in the build cell in the AIT hall. In a similar fashion to the HotSat payloads, the main truss, primary mirror, secondary mirror alignment occurs in here.”
Specification:
- 6m x 5m modularcCleanroom, satellite engineering zones
- Flexible curtain entry/exit points to allow for efficient movement of large equipment in and out of the manufacturing cell
- CAMT2000 Clean Air Modules (CAM) guarantee positive pressure and an ISO Class 5 clean environment
- HEPA filters [99.997% efficient at 0.3 microns] provide up to 1800 cubic metres of filtered air, a total of 60 clean-air changes per hour.
Horizontal Laminar Flow Cabinets provide controlled zones for complex processes.
Top image: Surrey Satellite Technology designed and assembled Tyche
