On May 14th, according to the BBC, French tire manufacturer Michelin, Japanese Bridgestone, and American technology company Venturi Astrolab have recently announced their innovative tire solutions for extreme space environments, aimed at addressing the vulnerability of traditional tires under low temperatures, sharp terrain, and high loads.
Image source: IC
The extreme environments of the moon and Mars have placed almost stringent demands on tire performance. The temperature at the poles of the moon can drop sharply to minus 230 degrees Celsius (close to absolute zero), causing the atomic activity of materials to stagnate. Tires may permanently deform or break after climbing over rocks. NASA materials scientist Santo Padula pointed out, “If the tires cannot be restored to their original state at low temperatures, power loss will lead to mission failure
Although the temperature difference on the surface of Mars is small, the sharp rocky terrain poses a threat to tire wear resistance. The aluminum tires of NASA’s Mars probe Curiosity cracked just one year after landing, highlighting the limitations of traditional materials in extreme environments. In addition, future lunar rovers will need to carry heavier scientific equipment, and Mars’ gravity is twice that of the moon, further exacerbating tire pressure. Pietro Baglion, the Mars mission manager of the European Space Agency (ESA), said, “Tires must balance strength and elasticity, which is a major challenge in space exploration
According to official information from the company, Michelin uses special high-performance plastics instead of traditional rubber to avoid tire brittleness caused by cosmic ray decomposition. Its airless design supports wide wheel rims through curved spokes, completely eliminating the risk of tire blowouts. The company has conducted field tests simulating the loose volcanic ash environment on the moon in volcanic terrain in France to verify the adaptability and durability of tires in extreme terrains.
Bridgestone drew inspiration from the fat pad structure of camel feet and designed a tire with a felt like tread combined with flexible metal spokes. This structure can disperse pressure and prevent vehicles from getting stuck in soft sand (such as the surface of the moon). At present, the tire has completed simulation tests in Tottori Sand Hill, Japan, and its performance is better than traditional designs.
The nickel titanium alloy, made by mixing nickel and titanium, combines metal strength with rubber elasticity and can be repeatedly bent to restore its original state. NASA believes it has “revolutionary” potential and could be used in the future for wheels！
Tire heating and cooling system to adapt to extreme temperature differences. The flexibility of nickel titanium alloy is one of the craziest things you’ve ever seen in your life, “said Earl Patrick Cole, CEO of Smart Tire Company
The commercialization of nickel titanium alloy tires not only serves space exploration, but may also bring innovation to fields such as transportation and industry on Earth. For example, high durability tires can be applied to engineering vehicles in extreme environments, reducing maintenance costs.
According to reports, Michelin and Bridgestone, along with VenturiAstrolab, a California based company, will submit tire technology proposals to NASA in May at the Glenn Research Center in the United States.
NASA is expected to make a decision later this year – possibly selecting one design or combining multiple design elements.
Santo Padula emphasized, “Space tires must have a service life of decades, rather than adaptability to short-term missions. The deformation and recovery ability of materials under extreme conditions is the core indicator.” Pietro Baglion pointed out, “Although new materials such as nickel titanium alloys have broad prospects, their costs and production processes still need to be optimized to achieve large-scale applications
With the resumption of manned lunar missions by the Artemis program in 2027, whether the new generation of tires can withstand the harsh tests of the moon and Mars will become a focus of global space exploration.
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