Abstract: A system is disclosed for supplying a lubricant to a bearing assembly, such as that in a gyroscope of a spacecraft. The system includes a housing which is connected to the bearing assembly and which forms a pressurized chamber. A collapsible member, such as a bellows, in the pressurized chamber houses a supply of lubricant. One or more valves regulate and control the flow of lubricant from the collapsible member to the bearing assembly. In response to the actuation of the valves, flow of lubricant is caused by pressure exerted on the collapsible member. Lubricant flow conduits may also be formed within the housing, so that lubricant may be provided directly to a portion of the bearing assembly.

Abstract: A spacecraft component bearing unit for resisting axial lead due to launch vibration. This component includes a stator having drive coils, an inertia wheel having a ring magnet, a shaft having a fixed upper bearing cartridge and a floating lower bearing cartridge mounted on the stator and supporting the inertia wheel, three snubber units spaced peripherally at equal angles around an axis of the shaft, and each snubber unit having a piston with a face engaging the shaft and having a bellows connected to the piston for withdrawing the piston from contact with the shaft upon exposure to vacuum pressure at launch completion.