Sea Launch User's Guide

Contamination
control during
ground processing
Ground contamination control begins with manufacturing the payload
accommodation and continues through launch. The two halves of the
payload fairing undergo final assembly at the factory, and all subsequent
processing is performed with the fairing halves mated.
This unique approach dictates that the payload fairing receive its final
cleaning before shipment.
Precision cleaning
process during
ground processing
Precision cleaning of the payload fairing is performed just before installation
of the precleaned acoustic blankets. The payload fairing assembly
is then double-bagged and placed in a metal container for shipment to
Home Port. The interface skirt payload structure is similarly cleaned and
bagged, and placed in a separate container.
Extensive testing has proven cleaning processes can achieve molecular
cleanliness levels below 11 mg/m 2 (1.0 mg/ft 2 ) and particulate levels below
0.5% obscuration. Cleanliness verification is performed by periodic
visual inspection, with direct surface sampling available as a missionunique
service.
Flight hardware
processing during
ground processing
Upon arrival at Home Port the payload accommodation hardware is unbagged
in the payload processing facility cleanroom, and a receiving inspection
performed. The payload accommodation is inspected and recleaned
as required to meet strict visual cleanliness criteria before the
spacecraft is encapsulated.
A class-100,000 cleanroom environment is provided for the spacecraft
customer during processing in the payload processing facility. Cleanroom
garments, materials, and janitorial services will also be provided. If necessary,
a mission-specific annex to the Home Port control plan is generated
to incorporate any unique spacecraft contamination control processing
requirements.
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