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XorNot
on Aug 3, 2021
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Cheap material converts heat to electricity
The history of moving parts in space missions (RTGs) is why Kepler's mission is degraded: keeping reaction wheels and other spinning things lubricated and moving when you can't get in there and service them is hard.
darksaints
on Aug 4, 2021
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Consequently, NASA is often at the forefront of technologies that reduce moving parts. For example:
https://technology.nasa.gov/patent/LEW-TOPS-80
https://technology.nasa.gov/patent/LEW-TOPS-106
chopin
on Aug 3, 2021
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Why wouldn't airgapped bearings be used for this? Is it too heavy?
Fordec
on Aug 3, 2021
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The bearings end up cold welding at friction points in the vacuum of space is one issue.
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