[1] Research in the field aims to design reliable tribological systems that can withstand the harsh environment of space.
In addition to regular tribological stresses, machine elements for space applications need to withstand the harsh environment during launch and in orbit.
In particular, critical tribosystem inputs are:[2] Liquid lubricants for space applications need to have low vapor pressure (volatility) in order to withstand the high vacuum on orbit.
In the former case, sputtered molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and ion-plated lead (Pb) are commonly used; in the latter case, polyimide composite materials based on polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) are often employed, as well as leaded bronze.
[2] Space tribology ensures the reliable operation of mechanisms aboard spacecraft, which can be broadly grouped into one-shot devices (such as deployable solar panels, deployable antennas and solar sails), and continuously and intermittently operating devices (such as reaction wheels, electric motors and slip rings).