Development of a life test platform for bearings lubricated by solid lubricant under the vacuum and temperature cycling environment

In order to investigate the life of bearings lubricated by solid lubricant (BLSL), which are installed in the rotational parts of spacecraft, a test platform has been developed. The platform can test the life of BLSL working under the vacuum environment with high-low temperature cycle conditions. The test platform consists of three systems of loading, measurement, and power and speed control. A corresponding computer program was also developed to measure, monitor and record test data. The working life of deep groove ball bearings lubricated by M_oS₂ solid lubricant was tested in 5×10^-4Pa vacuum. The surface observation and analysis for the damage condition of the failed bearings were also conducted.