Laboratory complex expanded at Tartu Observatory

The laboratories of Tartu Observatory of the University of Tartu were expanded and upgraded by the beginning of 2024. This enables testing small space technologies in Tõravere at the European Cooperation Space Standard (ECSS) level.

The infrastructure makes it possible to carry out the set of tests required to launch equipment into space. The six rooms, with a total area of around 100 m2, have controlled environmental conditions: temperature, humidity, directional airflow and electrostatic discharge safety (ESD). In addition, there are cleanrooms with a dust-free environment and an anechoic room.

After a two-month repair period, the first tests done were OPIC tests. OPIC is an optical periscope camera that was built in Estonia for the Comet Interceptor ESA mission launching in 2029 onboard a spacecraft. In addition to research and development projects, automotive and shipping companies as well as national defence-related clients also find their way to Tartu Observatory laboratories in Tõravere, but the current wait time is two months.

The expansion and upgrading of the laboratories was prompted by a preliminary technical assessment by the European Space Agency (ESA). "We replaced the ventilation system in all the rooms, which is now more powerful and cost-efficient," explains Riho Vendt, Head of Laboratory of Space Technology. "For example, most of the heated and humidified air is now circulated back into the rooms and fresh air is added exactly as needed." The new climate control system is able to ensure that laboratories have a constant air temperature of (21±1)°C and humidity of (55±10)%, in line with ECSS standards. A special air purity monitoring system was installed in the cleanrooms.

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In addition, the Dutch company Vacuum Specials installed a chamber-shaped heat exchanger in the thermal vacuum chamber, which can create a more stable test environment as it surrounds the test object. The previous heat exchanger was located on the base of the chamber which meant a single-level oil flow through it. The long-awaited expansion of the electronics laboratory was also completed to the delight of the lab staff, as the old rooms were getting cramped, and the new space can accommodate three new workstations.

The laboratories of Tartu Observatory have been providing testing, calibration and consultancy services to companies and research institutions for over a decade. Since 2018, they are also part of the Testing Centre of University of Tartu, which operates an ISO 17025 accredited quality management system.

The laboratory infrastructure was developed under the project "Estonia's participation in the European Space Agency, TT8" (Estonian Research Infrastructures Roadmap). The climate system upgrade was funded by the KosEST project (funded by the State Shared Service Centre), which was designed to keep pace with ESA's science and technology development missions. Thanks to KosEST, the possibilities for calibrating optical instruments used for Earth remote sensing have improved. In addition to upgrading the laboratories, better conditions were created for ground-based observations of the northern celestial hemisphere.