NASA Challenge Selects Five Teams to Advance Lunar Rover Wheel Designs

NASA is advancing plans for a lunar base by expanding surface mobility for both crewed missions and robotic operations. To accelerate the development of next‑generation lunar rover wheels, the agency launched the “Rock and Roll with NASA” Challenge, inviting innovators worldwide to design and build wheel prototypes that can withstand the Moon’s extreme terrain and temperature swings.

The competition attracted 128 submissions from 49 countries, and five teams were selected to enter the final phase. These finalists will receive additional funding, technical guidance, and access to NASA’s testing facilities to refine their wheel designs and conduct prototype trials. The challenge aligns with NASA’s broader strategy to secure reliable, high‑performance mobility solutions for future lunar exploration and to foster collaboration between the agency and the global engineering community.

With the final phase underway, NASA aims to identify wheel technologies that can support extended travel distances and payload capacities on the lunar surface, thereby enhancing the operational reach of the forthcoming Moon Base. The successful prototypes will inform the design of future lunar rovers and contribute to the overall readiness of NASA’s lunar exploration program.