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
Regular satellites that go up into earth orbit are not really fully sterilized. But they are constructed in cleanrooms to prevent wayward particles from ending up inside the spacecraft and possibly causing issues later. Imagine a random hair ending up in a high voltage circuit and then when the satellite is powered up, that hair catches fire and causes other issues. Or think of the issues that would happen if a solar panel couldn’t extend because the track it is mounted to is covered in grease and dirt from the workers hands.
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