NASA is returning to the Moon and needs next‑generation technology to make sustained surface operations possible. One critical technology is a compliant, long service-life wheel and tire that can enable mobility systems to carry payloads across the rugged lunar terrain.
The Rock and Roll with NASA Challenge invites the global innovation community to use the small, semi-autonomous NASA MicroChariot Rover as a testbed to design and test novel advancements in flexible, lightweight, durable wheels and tires. Ahead of the official launch, we’re offering a sneak peek so you can start brainstorming, gather teammates, and spread the word.
Photo Credit: Copyright Felix and Paul Studios
Rigid wheels work for slow, careful driving, but they struggle at higher speeds to absorb impacts as obstacles are traversed. NASA is looking for novel wheel concepts that combine low mass, compliance (shock absorption), and long life in the harsh lunar environment.
Crowdsourcing uncovers “hidden gems” and accelerates progress by inviting students, hobbyists, startups, and established firms alike to contribute creative solutions. Winning teams will help shape the future of lunar mobility—and may see their designs tested at NASA.
Your Mission
Create an original wheel and tire concept that meets the performance goals, tell us why it works, and (if selected) build and prove it. Share this opportunity with friends and colleagues who thrive on tough engineering challenges! When the challenge launches this fall, participate to compete for up to $150,000 in prizes, across all challenge phases.
Finalist prototype solutions for this challenge will be mounted to NASA's MicroChariot Ground Test Unit (MCGTU) and tested to speeds up to 15 mph. The MCGTU, a 100-Lb Earth-bound rover built to assist with development of the MicroChariot System and operational concepts, features a flat deck chassis (40-inch-long x 29-inch-wide x 5-inch-tall) designed for easy payload integration and runs four 19-inch diameter wheels. But the real objective is bigger. Your concept should treat MicroChariot as a proving ground. Your submissions will demonstrate how the same compliance mechanism, materials, and manufacturing approach could grow (or shrink) without exotic re-tooling. Deliver that vision, and you won’t just advance one rover—you’ll push the entire lunar mobility ecosystem forward.
*Full technical requirements, prize amounts, intellectual property, and judging details will appear in the official launch guidelines. Until official launch, guidelines are subject to change.
