Sputtered $MoS_2$ thin films provide lubrication and wear improvements for vacuum and space applications. In this study, deposition of $MoS_2$ thin films by R.F. magnetron sputtering was studied with regard to the micro-structural change of $MoS_2$ film and mechanical properties. The coating parameters such as the working pressure, the RF power, the substrate temperature, the etching time were varied to determine how these parameters affected the film morphology and mechanical properties of deposited films. The best wear properties and critical load were observed with the film deposited at $70^{circ}C$, 1.0$ imes$$10^{ -3}$ Torr, 170W and 1 hour deposition time. The critical load increased with the increase of sputter etching time.