PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF IMPROVED LUBRICANTS FOR TRIBOLOGICAL SYSTEMS OF FUTURE SPACECRAFT

As the size of the spacecraft is getting smaller and the time in space is lengthened (>10 years), more severe demands are placed on the tribological systems. To satisfy the requirements of the tribological systems of future spacecraft improved performance of lubricants and materials needed. A considerable amount of progress have been made in developing improved lubricants, materials and processes for future space applications. However, their performance has not been evaluated under conditions relevant for space applications. The objectives of Phase I proposal are to identify most critical requirements in tribological systems of future spacecraft and to determine and optimize the performance of selected lubricants (liquid, grease and solid) for high and low speed bearing mechanisms with respect to future requirements.