GLTRS--Glenn
TITLE AND SUBTITLE:
Preventing Spacecraft Failures Due to Tribological Problems

AUTHOR(S):
Robert L. Fusaro

REPORT DATE:
April 2001

FUNDING NUMBERS:
WU-274-00-00-00

PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES):
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
John H. Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field
Cleveland, Ohio 44135-3191

PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER:
E-12713

SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES):
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Washington, DC 20546-0001

REPORT TYPE AND DATES COVERED:
Technical Memorandum

SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY REPORT NUMBER:
NASA TM-2001-210806

SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES:
Prepared for the 2001 Annual Meeting sponsored by the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers, Orlando, Florida, May 20-24, 2001. Responsible person, Robert L. Fusaro, organization code 5950, 216-433-6080.

ABSTRACT:
Many mechanical failures that occur on spacecraft are caused by tribological problems. This publication presents a study that was conducted by the author on various preventatives, analyses, controls and tests (PACTs) that could be used to prevent spacecraft mechanical system failure. A matrix is presented in the paper that plots tribology failure modes versus various PACTs that should be performed before a spacecraft is launched in order to insure success. A strawman matrix was constructed by the author and then was sent out to industry and government spacecraft designers, scientists and builders of spacecraft for their input. The final matrix is the result of their input. In addition to the matrix, this publication describes the various PACTs that can be performed and some fundamental knowledge on the correct usage of lubricants for spacecraft applications. Even though the work was done specifically to prevent spacecraft failures the basic methodology can be applied to other mechanical system areas.

SUBJECT TERMS:
Aerospace tribology; Lubricants; Space systems; Friction; Wear;
Surface analytical techniques; Wear testing devices

NUMBER OF PAGES:
44

PDF AVAILABLE FROM URL:
2001/TM-2001-210806.pdf
( 959 KB )

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