Bridgestone’s Innovative Lunar Rover Tire: Pushing the Limits of Space Mobility and Earthbound Performance

Bridgestone Corporation is showcasing its latest concept for a lunar rover tire at the 39th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs from April 8 to 11, 2024. The tire, which is being featured at Japan’s Space Industry booth, organized by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, is part of Bridgestone’s commitment to space exploration and mobility advancement.

The company’s objective with this project is to contribute to the development of space mobility. Building on its first-generation lunar rover tire, which took inspiration from the footpads of desert-traversing camels and incorporated a soft, metal-based felt material in the tread area to improve traction on the moon’s regolith surface, Bridgestone has developed a second-generation tire with a durable skeletal structure and thin metal spokes. The segmented tread design further enhances durability and traction in the challenging lunar environment. These enhancements were developed through structural simulations and digital technologies.

In addition to advancing space mobility, this project also serves as a platform for Bridgestone to expand its Air Free tire technology. The company hopes to leverage the insights gained from operating in extreme lunar conditions to enhance the performance of tires used on Earth in the future.