[sandworm101]

I read that article too and am skeptical. There is a less-than-perfect correlation between space weather an wheel friction increases, but these are not exposed bearings on the outside of spacecraft. These are deep inside, behind layers of metal parts. I don't see the mechanism for creating the imbalance of charges necessary to arc inside the bearings. If it is happening, I would expect this to be far more common in terrestrial bearings. Cars build up static charges. We aren't seeing their bearings degrading so suddenly when after they drive through lighting storms or other static charge imbalances.