Reinventing the wheel for space exploration

Surviving the harshest terrain in the Solar System

As the US Artemis missions aim to return to the Moon as soon as 2027 and also plan to venture to Mars, engineers face a deceptively simple challenge: how to build a tyre that will not fail. The Moon’s surface is unforgiving, with jagged rocks and temperatures plunging below -230°C. Unsurprisingly, these are conditions that can shatter rubber and fatigue metal in a short time, making the goal of 10,000 kilometres over 10 years in a lunar rover virtually impossible without consistent failure and downtime for repair.

Back in 2012, the Curiosity rover’s aluminium wheels suffered visible punctures just a year after landing on Mars, proving traditional materials simply cannot withstand the extremes of space.

A job for high-performance polymers

Motion plastics specialist, igus, may have the solution to this problem. Managing Director Matthew Aldridge believes the future of space mobility lies in advanced polymer engineering. “Our high-performance plastics are designed to thrive where conventional materials fail—resisting extreme temperatures, radiation, and mechanical stress without the need for lubrication or maintenance.” These qualities make high-performance plastic a possible option for next-generation airless tyres that must flex over lunar rocks and rebound without cracking or deforming.

igus energy chains, cables and bearings are already used in many space applications, from space telescopes to rocket launch platforms and exploration vehicles similar to those set to explore to the Moon in the coming years. Even 3D printed parts have their place in space technology, as igus recently collaborated with the University of Glasgow, where igus linear components and polymer bearings were used in the vacuum chamber of a machine that is able to replicate space conditions. The full article is available here: https://www.themanufacturer.com/articles/space-construction-made-possible-with-3d-printing/

While other materials like Nitinol, a superalloy composed of nickel and titanium, do offer exciting possibilities, experts across the world are increasingly looking to high-performance plastics for long-distance lunar travel. igus are at the forefront of this technology, with lightweight, durable, and energy-efficient solutions that could help redefine mobility on the Moon and beyond.

Supporting the Next Giant Leap

Space exploration is more than a technological challenge—it is a symbol of ambition and ingenuity. As NASA prepares to make critical decisions on the future of lunar mobility, igus stand ready to support with materials engineered for the final frontier. From the Moon’s frozen craters to the dusty plains of Mars, their plastics are built to go the distance.