A Space Tribology Handbook

E. Wyn Roberts & M. Eiden

The production of a Space Tribology Handbook forms part of an overall strategy, initiated by ESTEC’s Mechanisms Section, to improve the quality of space mechanisms through the establishment of a set of globally applicable space mechanisms standards and guidelines for mechanism design. The standardisation activities are being performed under the European Cooperation for Space Standardisation (ECSS); the space mechanism engineering requirements have been established in an ESA/Industry collaborative effort in 1997. The Space Tribology Handbook provides the essential guideline for tribology aspects of mechanism engineering, useable in the day-to-day work of mechanism engineers. This strategy should promote a more standardised approach to mechanism design and testing and achieve reduced schedules, cost-effective developments and high-quality mechanisms.