Michelin, the well-known tire company, is making a big leap into space exploration. They are designing unique tires specifically tailored to lunar missions. This ambitious undertaking hopes to extend a mind-blowing 10,000 kilometers over the next ten years. It will address the unique challenges posed by the Moon’s extreme environment. The initiative is spearheaded by Sylvain Barthet, who leads Michelin’s lunar airless wheel program from the company’s headquarters in Clermont Ferrand, France.
The Moon is an extreme environment, especially at the Moon’s poles where the temperature can reach as low as -230 degrees Celsius. These extreme temperatures require new, cutting-edge materials to be brought into tires. Michelin is currently investigating high-performance plastics as a possible alternative material for lunar tires. These materials will allow NASA to create tires that can stand up to the rigors of extended over-the-moon surface travel.
In addition to Michelin’s efforts, Bridgestone is working on tire technology for lunar missions, with both companies presenting their proposals to NASA through separate consortiums. This partnership represents the deep and competitive field already present in the race to deliver the best in reliable and durable tire technology for exploration on the lunar surface.
Michelin’s new lunar tires will likely retail for around $150 (£120), a severe markup from your average terrestrial tire. For the privately-funded company, all eyes are on crafting a winning product that won’t flub in the mood Robotic lunar company 4Frontiers. Reliability is everything—it is not just an inconvenience when you’re late. Barthet can’t overstate the importance of reliability.
“One thing you cannot have is a puncture.” – Florent Menegaux
Michelin’s lunar tire design takes cues from old models. Even the tires of the Apollo lunar rovers were made from zinc-coated piano wire, formed into a series of springs. This woven mesh structure allowed for wider ranges and greater durability. Michelin’s new materials are designed to promote extended durability and efficiency.
Michelin tests its new tire designs in a volcanic region outside of Clermont Ferrand. There, they replicate the powdery surface that mimics the Moon’s volcanic terrain. With this level of rugged testing, you can be confident that the tires are built to tackle tough terrain while standing the test of time.
Dr. Santo Padula, an engineer at NASA’s John Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio, highlights the long-term vision of lunar exploration:
“We’re not talking about short, week-long durations, we’re talking about decades of utilisation.” – Dr. Santo Padula
Padula, who has a PhD in materials science, highlights the importance of material properties in tire performance. He notes that maintaining tire shape and integrity is crucial:
“If we permanently deform a tyre, it doesn’t roll efficiently, and we have issues with power loss.” – Dr. Padula
The concept of using nitinol, an alloy of nickel and titanium, has emerged as a promising avenue for lunar tire development. Earl Patrick Cole, CEO of The Smart Tire Company, refers to nitinol as a “rubber-acting metal.” Webbing This special fabric stretches when pulled, allowing it to stretch with movement and bounce back into shape for unique benefits.
“Fuse these and it makes a rubber-acting metal that can bend all these different ways, and it will always stretch back to its original shape.” – Earl Patrick Cole
This innovative approach may lead to tires that not only withstand extreme conditions but adapt to various terrains encountered during lunar missions.
And as Michelin undertakes this latest chapter of research and development, the implications are monumental. With technologies like this, we might one day unlock a new era of lunar mobility. They provide tangible evidence for exploring beyond our own planet’s surface now and into the future. By focusing on durability and performance, Michelin aims to ensure that its contributions play a vital role in humanity’s journey into space.