Vacuum tribology in space applications: A review of failure mechanisms, solid lubricants, and reliability-centered design

Key Points

• Vacuum tribology reveals critical failure mechanisms that affect operational reliability.
• Key evidence indicates that solid lubricants significantly improve performance in vacuum conditions.
• Assessment of various solid lubricants shows their effectiveness in mitigating friction and wear in space environments.
• Reliability-centered design is essential for ensuring long-term functionality in challenging space applications.