Abstract: The domestic and abroad thermal vacuum quasi-accelerated life tests of two-axis gimbals are investigated. It is shown that almost all the tests are focused on the parts rather than on a full gimbal, which can not reflect the performance of the full gimbal. According to the analysis of the structure and lubrication mode of the thermal vacuum quasi-accelerated life tests of two-axis gimbals, the five main elements and their design methods are determined. The test contents and methods are designed for the motion performance examination of a full gimbal, and the failure criterion is given to control the test process. A thermal vacuum quasi-accelerated life test is designed in accordance with the design method of the element design method. A series of test data about the motion performance of the two-axis gimbal is acquired by experiments, which can evaluate the in-orbit life of the space two-axis gimbal. The in-orbit application of the obtained results demonstrate that the designed thermal vacuum quasi-accelerated life test method for the space two-axis gimbal can satisfy the test requirement and it is effective and feasible.

Key words: experimental technology of aerocraft, space two-axis gimbal, thermal vacuum, quasi-accelerated, life test