Using Compressed Gasses and Novel Liquids
for Lubrication on the Martian Surface
Presented by Wilfredo Morales
NASA Glenn Mechanical Components Branch

The future use of various land vehicles on the Martian surface is inevitable.  These vehicles must be designed to function under the extreme conditions of the Martian climate.  One critical design challenge is the lubrication system.  Lubricating oils, as we use them on Earth, will be useless on Mars unless extensive heating systems are employed to ensure flow.  But the thought occurs, many common substances that are gases on Earth will be liquids on Mars.  In particular, carbon dioxide will be a liquid in the cold Martian temperature with a moderate increase in pressure.  This property of carbon dioxide along with its ability to dissolve a number of substances may allow the design of simple, reliable lubricating systems.



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Last modified 31 Oct 2006