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NASA Challenge Tests Wheel Designs for Moon Base Mobility
NASA tested five prototype lunar rover wheel designs from the Rock and Roll with NASA Challenge on July 31, 2026. The competition aimed to develop durable wheels for Moon Base surface mobility.
Why it matters
Better wheel technology enables rovers to travel farther across the moon. This allows crews to conduct more science and build more infrastructure.
The details
- The winning Scotch Pad Tyres design uses a Nomex-based structure with corundum grit.
- Prototypes were tested on MicroChariot, a 45-kilogram test rover in Houston.
- Five final teams were selected from 128 submissions across 49 countries.
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Key connections
Center of Excellence for Collaborative Innovation is a member of NASA
The Center of Excellence for Collaborative Innovation is a center within NASA.
HeroX is located in United States
HeroX operates in the United States.
Huff Helo Inc. is located in United States
Huff Helo Inc. operates in the United States.
Hyperbola is located in United States
Hyperbola operates in the United States.
NASA owns Commercial Lunar Payload Services
Commercial Lunar Payload Services is a NASA initiative delivering vehicles and payloads to the Moon.
NASA owns Space Exploration Vehicle
Space Exploration Vehicle is a prototype exploration rover developed by NASA.
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Johnson Space Center owns MicroChariot
MicroChariot is a 45-kilogram test rover operated at Johnson Space Center's Rock Yard.
Hellenic Technology of Robotics SA owns HTR Variable Flex Lunar Wheel
HTR Variable Flex Lunar Wheel was created by Hellenic Technology of Robotics SA.
Hyperbola owns Hiper Wheel
Hiper Wheel was created by Hyperbola.
Huff Helo Inc. owns Huff Helo Flexible Titanium Wheel
Huff Helo Flexible Titanium Wheel was created by Huff Helo Inc.
Ed Herrera works at Johnson Space Center
Ed Herrera is a robotics engineer at Johnson Space Center and co-leader of the challenge project.
Lucien Junkin works at Johnson Space Center
Lucien Junkin is a robotics engineer at Johnson Space Center and co-leader of the challenge project.
Daniel Bloomfield is related to Isaac Bloomfield
Daniel Bloomfield collaborated with his son Isaac Bloomfield to design Scotch Pad Tyres.
Isaac Bloomfield is related to Scotch Pad Tyres
Isaac Bloomfield co-designed the winning Scotch Pad Tyres prototype.
Deborah Payne is related to Craige Payne
Deborah Payne and Craige Payne co-created the Payne Aviation Wheel.
Craige Payne is related to Payne Aviation Wheel
Craige Payne designed the Payne Aviation Wheel drawing on aircraft mechanics principles.
Robotic Systems Technology Branch is a member of Johnson Space Center
Robotic Systems Technology Branch is part of the Engineering Directorate at Johnson Space Center.
NASA Robotics Academy is a member of NASA
NASA Robotics Academy students participated in testing and competition support.
HeroX administered the Rock and Roll with NASA Challenge contract on behalf of NASA.
Hellenic Technology of Robotics SA is a partner of NASA
Hellenic Technology of Robotics SA advanced as a finalist team in NASA's challenge.
Hyperbola is a partner of NASA
Hyperbola participated as a finalist team testing its Hiper Wheel at NASA Johnson Space Center.
Huff Helo Inc. is a partner of NASA
Huff Helo Inc. participated as a finalist in the NASA Rock and Roll Challenge.
MicroChariot uses Scotch Pad Tyres
MicroChariot was fitted with Scotch Pad Tyres during Rock Yard obstacle testing.
MicroChariot uses HTR Variable Flex Lunar Wheel
MicroChariot was fitted with HTR Variable Flex Lunar Wheel during testing.
MicroChariot uses Hiper Wheel
MicroChariot was fitted with the Hiper Wheel during test courses.
MicroChariot uses Huff Helo Flexible Titanium Wheel
MicroChariot was fitted with the Huff Helo Flexible Titanium Wheel during Rock Yard courses.
MicroChariot uses Payne Aviation Wheel
MicroChariot was fitted with the Payne Aviation Wheel during testing courses.
Scotch Pad Tyres competes with HTR Variable Flex Lunar Wheel
Scotch Pad Tyres and HTR Variable Flex Lunar Wheel competed as finalist prototypes in the Rock and Roll with NASA Challenge.
Scotch Pad Tyres competes with Hiper Wheel
Scotch Pad Tyres and Hiper Wheel competed as finalist prototypes in the Rock and Roll with NASA Challenge.
Scotch Pad Tyres competes with Huff Helo Flexible Titanium Wheel
Scotch Pad Tyres and Huff Helo Flexible Titanium Wheel competed as finalist prototypes in the Rock and Roll with NASA Challenge.
Scotch Pad Tyres competes with Payne Aviation Wheel
Scotch Pad Tyres and Payne Aviation Wheel competed as finalist prototypes in the Rock and Roll with NASA Challenge.
HTR Variable Flex Lunar Wheel is built with Variable Stiffness Mechanism
HTR Variable Flex Lunar Wheel uses an internal variable stiffness system.
Hiper Wheel is built with Tensioned Cable Suspension
Hiper Wheel utilizes tensioned cables and a corrugated compliant structure.
Huff Helo Flexible Titanium Wheel is built with Formed Titanium Sheet Metal
Huff Helo Flexible Titanium Wheel is constructed from formed titanium sheet metal.
Scotch Pad Tyres is built with Nomex Composite
Scotch Pad Tyres uses a Nomex-based composite structure supported around an aluminum hub.
Glenn Research Center is located in United States
Glenn Research Center is located in Cleveland, Ohio, United States.
Daniel Bloomfield is located in Australia
Daniel Bloomfield is an Australian mechanical engineer.
Isaac Bloomfield is located in Australia
Isaac Bloomfield is based in Australia.
Deborah Payne is related to Payne Aviation Wheel
Payne Aviation Wheel was created by Deborah Payne and Craige Payne.
Daniel Bloomfield is related to Scotch Pad Tyres
Scotch Pad Tyres was created and submitted by Daniel Bloomfield and Isaac Bloomfield.
Related events
NASA Evaluates Public Innovator Lunar Wheel Prototypes at Johnson Space Center Rock Yard
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