Nye Aerospace News - May 2017

Lift Off for Nye and Lockheed

Lockheed Martin, a leading designer and manufacturer for the Aerospace industry, was launching a new generation of high definition satellite cameras. Lockheed wanted to use Nye’s Rheolube® 2000 and Rheolube® 2004 products to lubricate bearings in the satellite camera, but needed to decrease the outgassing rate of both greases. They were working with The Aerospace Corporation on the project to reduce volatile contaminants close to the camera’s lens. Both companies were concerned that the cameras would be compromised if lubricant volatiles settled near the lens, potentially fogging it up. Nye had to not only decrease outgassing, but testing, manufacturing and verification all had to be completed in time for the satellite launch date. It was a race against the clock.

Lubricating Satellite Components

Many of Nye’s Aerospace lubricants are designed specifically for satellite components that must survive the severe conditions of the space environment. These Pennzane™ based lubricants have orbited around the Earth and helped provide some of the most iconic space images. Our latest Application Overview highlights various satellite components that have had success using Nye products, including solar array drives, camera optics, and reaction wheels. Download the Application Overview to learn how our lubricants are ensuring long life of these critical components. 

NASA, the NOAA, and Nye

For over 60 years, we have been involved with leaders in the aerospace industry, like NASA, designing and testing lubricants for space applications. Our latest partnership was on next generation geostationary weather satellites, called the GOES-R series. According to the Goes-R Website affiliated with NASA and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), “The satellites will provide advanced imaging with increased spatial resolution and faster coverage for more accurate forecasts, real-time mapping of lightning activity, and improved monitoring of solar activity.” Nye was involved in lubricating both the reaction wheels and solar array drives within the GOES-16 launched in November 2016. Download our Brochure to see which lubricants are taking off with the next-generation of spacecraft.