Bouncing Back on the Moon: Revolutionizing Space Tires to Conquer Cosmic Terrain

As humanity sets its sights on returning to the Moon and exploring Mars, one of the critical challenges is preventing punctures in the unique environments of these celestial bodies. Florent Menegaux, CEO of Michelin, emphasizes that the key to traversing the unforgiving lunar and Martian landscapes lies in reinventing tires. The harsh conditions faced by the Curiosity rover on Mars have demonstrated the need for more durable options; its tyres sustained serious damage just a year after landing.

The Artemis missions, aiming to land astronauts back on the Moon by 2027, will require advanced lunar rovers capable of covering 10,000 kilometres over a decade—a significant leap from the Apollo missions’ limited range. This poses formidable challenges, particularly with temperature fluctuations that can reach below -230C at the lunar poles, affecting materials’ ability to function effectively.

Innovations in tyre design and materials are essential. Traditional rubber tires break down in extreme conditions, prompting researchers to consider metal alloys and high-performance plastics as alternatives. Notably, nitinol, a nickel-titanium alloy known for its flexible properties and energy absorption capabilities, is under consideration. Meanwhile, Michelin and Bridgestone are leading the charge with unique approaches; Bridgestone has developed a felt-like tread inspired by camel footpads to distribute weight and prevent sinking into loose lunar soil.

Both companies are part of consortiums presenting their innovations to NASA, which is expected to announce selections for the next generation of space tyres. Current testing involves driving prototype rovers across terrains similar to the Moon’s surface to evaluate performance. The innovation isn’t just for space; Dr. Earl Patrick Cole is already working on commercial applications for Earth, introducing durable bicycle tyres and motorbike tyres suited for rough conditions. Ultimately, these advancements could not only revolutionize space exploration but also improve everyday transportation on our planet.