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A Review of European Trends in Space Tribology and its Application to Spacecraft Mechanism Design

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 February 2011

Robert A. Rowntree  and
Michael J. Todd
Robert A. Rowntree
Affiliation:
National Centre of Tribology, Northern Research Laboratories, UKAEA, Risley, Warrington, UK
Michael J. Todd
Affiliation:
National Centre of Tribology, Northern Research Laboratories, UKAEA, Risley, Warrington, UK
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Abstract

The development of space tribology and its application in the design of spacecraft moving mechanical assemblies (MMA's) in Europe has followed a different course from that in the USA. This is probably because of the distinct preponderance of 3-axis stabilised space vehicles - used for communications and for earth observation over Europe - together with the preference for solid lubricants in such devices as solar array drives and some types of scanner and de-spin mechanism. The paper reviews the current status and discernible future trends in European space tribology. Examples of current MMA types are given where evolved lubricants and lubrication techniques have been applied.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 140: Symposium S – New Materials Approaches to Tribology: Theory and Applications , 1988 , 21
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1989

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