Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) has officially launched a state-of-the-art optical imaging cleanroom at its Guildford headquarters. The new facility is set to significantly enhance the company’s capabilities in optical imaging, a critical element of its Earth observation satellite missions.
The cleanroom, now operational, will serve as the workspace for SSTL’s skilled optical payloads team. Its development was made possible through a £250,000 grant from the UK Space Agency (UKSA), awarded in March 2024 under the Space Clusters Infrastructure Fund (SCIF). SSTL matched this funding with its own resources, reflecting the UK Government’s commitment to bolstering the nation’s space infrastructure and driving innovation in satellite technology.
Andrew Cawthorne, Managing Director of SSTL, expressed gratitude for the UKSA’s support. “This investment has allowed us to create a world-class cleanroom facility,” he said. “It empowers our team to design and assemble advanced optical imagers, which are central to our Earth observation missions. This achievement underscores our mission to deliver cutting-edge satellite technology to customers worldwide.”
The cleanroom has been designed to meet the strict environmental standards necessary for developing and testing high-precision optical imagers. These imagers are vital components of SSTL’s Earth observation satellites, enabling the collection of accurate data for applications such as environmental monitoring, disaster response, and urban planning.
Dr. Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, highlighted the significance of the new facility. “The opening of this cleanroom demonstrates the UK’s leadership in Earth observation,” he said. “It will support the development of advanced optical imagers for missions that monitor floods, wildfires, and other critical scenarios. Funded through the Space Clusters Infrastructure Fund, this project strengthens our national capabilities and ensures the benefits of space technology are felt here on Earth.”
The new cleanroom marks a significant step forward for SSTL, reinforcing its position as a leader in satellite technology and Earth observation.
