ESA Open Invitation to Tender: 1-10933
Open Date: 20/09/2021 17:18 CEST
Closing Date: 09/11/2021 13:00 CEST

Lessons learnt on the use of grease lubricants for applications in space mechanisms confirm their highchemical stability on long-term storage (LTS), due to intrinsic inertness of their fluorocarbon-based components which could be affected only via catalytic effect of metal compounds. What is observed even in widely used space-qualified greases is physical delamination leading to separation of the base oil and the solid filler. This delamination affects the lubricant’s viscosity and dielectric properties. Availability of astabilization strategy would be beneficial for projects where satellites are launched in constellation and longterm storage on-ground is required. Stabilization strategy could involve use of suitable additives.The activity encompasses the following tasks:- Literature / market screening. Definition of requirements and formulation strategy- Development and testing of preliminary formulations. Choice of the final formulation- Full testing of the final formulation, including accelerated ageing. Comparison with the selected benchmarks already used in space industryThe foreseen benefits include: development of a European grease for space mechanisms (promoting European independence and obsolescence risk mitigation), improvement in lubricants’ stability in on-ground long-term storage.Procurement Policy: C(1) = Activity restricted to non-prime contractors (incl. SMEs). For additional information please go to this link.

Directorate: Directorate of Tech, Eng. Quality
Estabilishment: ESTEC
ECOS Required: No
Classified: No
Price Range: 200-500 KEURO
Authorised Contact Person: Roman Karpov
Initiating Service: TEC-QEE
IP Measure: C1
Prog. Reference: E/0901-01 – Technology Developme
Tender Type: Open Competition
Open To Tenderers From: AT+BE+CH+CZ+DE+DK+EE+EL+ES+FI+FR+GB+HU+IE+IT+LU+NL+NO+PL+PT+RO+SE
Technology Keywords: 15-F-I-Lubrication Technologies
Products Keywords: 2-D-1.1.1-a-Lubricant (dry, fluid), etc