A SPACE TRIBOLOGY HANDBOOK

The production of a Space Tribology Handbook forms part of an overall strategy, initiated by ESTEC's Mechanisms Section, to improve the qual ity of space mechanisms through the establishment of a set of globally applicable space mechanisms standards and guidelines for mechanism de sign. The standardisation activities are being performed under the Eur opean Cooperation for Space Standardisation (ECSS); the space mechanis m engineering requirements have been established in an ESA/Industry co llaborative effort in 1997. The Space Tribology Handbook provides the essential guideline for tribology aspects of mechanism engineering, us eable in the day-to-day work of mechanism engineers. This strategy sho uld promote a more standardised approach to mechanism design and testi ng and achieve reduced schedules, cost-effective developments and high -quality mechanisms.