Space Tribology Consulting, Inc.

Providing expert consulting on tribological issues, including vacuum lubrication and the chemistry and materials properties of interfaces and coatings

Satellites have multiple moving parts that require lubrication, including solar array deployment, solar array drive, antenna gimbal, reaction wheel assemblies, etc.

Demonstrated and Trusted Track Record in the Space Industry

Over 35 years experience assuring the success of spacecraft by providing robust tribological materials solutions throughout the vehicle life cycle: during design and manufacturing phases, or anomaly resolution including root cause analysis, followed by producing an effective outcome.

NASA's Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover has a sample caching system with hundreds of moving parts that must use solid lubricants like molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) to avoid contamination of collected samples.

Solving Problems

Provide consulting services in the areas of Tribology and Surface Chemistry, with a specialization in solid lubrication and materials tribology used in space and vacuum applications

Ball bearings for spacecraft use can be used with either oils, greases, or solid lubricants like MoS2 or PTFE, depending on the application.

Team Support

Provide technical leadership in teams charged with producing robust designs of lubricated devices for critical applications.

This is the inside of a surface chemical analysis system viewed through a viewport. The sample is at the focal point of many different probes, including sources of ions, electrons, and X rays. Typical techniques include Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS)

Science for Solutions

Coordinate laboratory investigations for root cause investigations using expertise in analysis techniques in tribology, as well as surface, interface, and materials science.