Insights

An important aspect in mechanism design is the selection of the appropriate lubricant for given operating conditions. In the case of fluid lubricants, it is important to understand the lubrication regime a given application will be operating in.

CABARET, ESTL’s own bearing analysis software, having its roots in rocket engine turbopump development (hence its name – Code for Analysis of BeArings in Rocket Engine Turbopumps), has a 35-year history of serving the specific analysis requirements of the European space industry, with the funding and support of the European Space Agency (ESA[M).

For many decades, spacecraft mechanisms have relied heavily on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Perfluoropolyether (PFPE) lubricants, PTFE-thickened greases and fluorinated solvents have become the industry’s trusted “heritage” materials, enabling reliable operation across extreme temperatures and hostile space environments. However, this long-established position is beginning to change.