ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to review aspects of real problems related to vacuum or space tribology technology and dry, solid film lubrication as case studies: Galileo spacecraft’s high-gain antenna deployment anomaly; and space shuttle orbiter’s quad check valve failures. The Galileo spacecraft and its inertial upper stage booster rocket were deployed from the space shuttle Atlantis on October 18, 1989. Shortly thereafter the booster rocket fired and separated, sending Galileo on its six-year journey to the planet Jupiter. The space shuttle orbital maneuvering system (OMS) provides the thrust for orbit insertion, circularization, orbit transfer, rendezvous, and deorbit. The space shuttle reaction control system (RCS) provides the thrust for pitch, yaw, and roll maneuvers and for small velocity changes along the orbiter axis. RCS thrusters and associated propellant feed lines are also attached to the forward module. The OMS/RCS left- and right-hand pods are attached to the upper aft fuselage on the left and right sides.
