I understand why we keep deep space probes clean, so as not to contaminate extraterrestrial objects with our super-tough beings.
Why do we do the same with satellites though? It’s not like some aliens are going to get space flu from it, is it?
In: Engineering
We don’t sterilize satellites to kill of microbes, you’re right there is no contamination risk
We do build them in clean rooms though because they’re going to a place where no one can do maintenance on them (this is changing but still mostly true). If you’re spending a few hundred million on a communication satellite that you’re planning on having last for 10 years, then you want to make sure you take the precautions against some dust or grime taking out a critical system just a few years into operation.
A bit of dust that gets into the bearings of the gyro assembly can wear out a critical part and turn your expensive investment into worthless spacejunk
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