Presented at 20th European Space Mechanisms And Tribology Symposium (ESMATS), Warsaw, September 2023
Tribological lifetime is frequently the main factor limiting the useful life of spacecraft mechanisms, including on-board instruments and ultimately in some cases the entire spacecraft/mission duration. Frictional losses may drive overall power requirements, and variations in tribological behaviour (instability of cages/ torque noise etc.) can severely limit the performance of mechanisms and ultimately even impact the main goals of a spacecraft through increased micro-vibration levels. Given this, the maximisation of lubricant life and functionality are frequent concerns for the spacecraft mechanism engineer.
This paper presents the conclusions of a recently completed developmental project, performed as a collaboration between ESR Technology/ESTL (UK) and Airbus Defence and Space (DE) (plus other partners) into the use of Surface Functionalization (SF) techniques as means to enhance lubricant performance for various spacecraft mechanism applications.
Full paper available here