A new ISO Class 6 cleanroom developed by Edith Cowan University (ECU) and space technology company LC60 AI has begun operations in Western Australia.
The cleanroom provides a controlled environment for the assembly of commercial Earth observation satellites.
The facility will support the build of the first satellite in LC60 AI’s planned Short Wave Infra-Red Satellite (SWIRSAT) constellation.
Built to ISO Class 6 standards, the cleanroom has been designed to meet the environmental controls required for the assembly of sensitive satellite electronics and optical systems.
The facility received AU$3.5m (USD $2.5m) in funding from the Western Australian Government and forms part of a wider strategy to develop local expertise in satellite assembly, integration and testing.
According to ECU, the cleanroom was upgraded through collaboration between LC60 engineers and the university’s technical teams to meet the contamination control requirements associated with spacecraft manufacturing.
Within weeks of opening, the facility is scheduled to begin installation of a high-resolution short-wave optical payload into a satellite ahead of launch.
The Short Wave Infra-Red Satellite (SWIRSAT) constellation is expected to comprise between nine and 18 Australian-built Earth observation satellites.
As assembly capability develops, future satellites are expected to be built at ECU.
Satellite-derived data from the programme is intended to support applications including environmental monitoring, agriculture, emergency response, defence and national security.
The facility also has a workforce development role, providing opportunities for students and researchers to participate in active satellite programmes while helping to build local engineering and manufacturing expertise.
ECU said the cleanroom has been established as a shared-use facility that can support future satellite and payload projects from other organisations.
The opening builds on previous investments in Western Australia’s space sector and follows earlier work at ECU to prepare cleanroom infrastructure for satellite assembly activities.
The first satellite assembled through the programme is scheduled for launch in February 2027.