Designed to navigate the harsh terrain of the moon, America’s latest lunar rover is a technological marvel that breaks away from traditional tires. In the words of Cyril Roget, head of science and innovation at the ISS, “It’s not a tire, it’s a wheel.” These round wheels, which are air-tight and made entirely of thermoplastic materials, are designed to withstand the extreme conditions of the moon. Unlike the first lunar rovers of 1971 and those visualized in Hollywood films, this rover is set to redefine the future of lunar exploration.
To survive the harsh environment of the moon, the rover will have to operate on the lunar surface for a decade, exploring extremely remote and uninhabited areas and collecting samples. The wheels must be able to withstand temperatures as low as -400 degrees Fahrenheit and as high as 212 degrees Fahrenheit, solar radiation, galactic radiation, and loose soil. These state-of-the-art wheels have been put through rigorous testing to ensure they can maintain traction and operate without damage on the Moon’s unstable terrain. The Moon is not a friendly place, so these wheels need to be exceptionally durable.
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NASA’s Competition and Michelin Collaboration
In 2024, NASA selected three companies to design its latest lunar rover: Lunar Outpost, Venturi Astrolab, and Intuitive Machines. Of the selected companies, Texas-based Venturi Astrolab has completed a $30 million Lunar Terrain Vehicle Feasibility Assessment in collaboration with Michelin, AVL, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman.
Design of innovative thermoplastic wheels
Michelin knew from 130 years of experience that traditional rubber tires would harden in the harsh lunar environment at -240 degrees Fahrenheit. So, they developed a wheel with S-shaped, flexible thermoplastic “spokes.” This design maintains the wheel’s functionality even if a spoke breaks, avoiding major failures such as a puncture.
These wheels are soft and reduce energy loss, allowing them to maintain traction in sandy craters with slopes of 20 degrees at one-sixth the moon’s gravity. Laboratory tests have confirmed the thermoplastic’s flexibility even at extreme temperatures.
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Technological advances for Earth
Although this lunar project is highly expensive, Michelin believes it will revolutionize tire and wheel technology on Earth. “Our goal is not just to go to the moon, but to learn something,” says Roget. Like tires that combine metal and rubber and last for millions of cycles, these wheels are a laboratory for studying how materials behave in the harsh conditions of the moon. This is a source of inspiration for the scientists working on this project, because “working every day on a project that goes to the moon is extraordinary,” adds Roget.