What if your imagination powered humanity’s next steps on the moon? With NASA’s bold new “Rock and Roll Challenge,” engineers, students, and innovators of all backgrounds are invited to reimagine wheel technology for NASA’s upcoming fleet of lunar vehicles. The challenge isn’t just for glory—there’s a total prize pot of up to $150,000 for revolutionary ideas that push past the limits of the current generation of rover wheels.Why Does NASA Need a Wheel Revolution?The moon’s landscape is relentless:Temperatures swing wildly between searing heat and frigid cold.Jagged craters, scattered boulders, and steep slopes are everywhere.Ultra-fine, abrasive lunar dust—called regolith—can clog up or wear down typical tires1.Traditional rigid wheels, perfect for slow and steady driving, can’t keep up with the demands of faster, longer, and rougher journeys that the Artemis program is planning. NASA’s future features long-duration moon missions, robotic rovers, supply haulers, and human explorers—all of whom will need mobility systems with low mass, excellent shock absorption, outstanding durability, and protection from dust infiltrationWhat’s the Challenge All About?Through its partnership with HeroX, NASA is calling for wheel and tire designs that are:LightweightFlexible (compliant and shock absorbing)Durable and long-lastingDust-resistantEasy on maintenanceSubmissions open this fall, with entries due later in the year. Finalists will put their ideas to the test in simulated lunar environments, mounting their prototypes on NASA’s MicroChariot Ground Test Unit and running at speeds up to 15mph. Standout wheels could end up rolling across the real lunar surface—maybe even inspiring designs for Mars rovers down the roadWhere Will Your Wheels Go?The right design could power not just astronaut-transport vehicles, but:Scientific survey roversHeavy cargo haulersAutonomous construction robotsHabitat module moversAnything else humanity needs to thrive on—and beyond—the moonHow Do I Enter?More than 150 pioneers have already signed up, but it’s not too late to make your mark. Visit the official challenge page on HeroX for full details, entry criteria, and submission deadlines.Why This MattersNASA’s Artemis missions will soon return humans to the lunar surface and set the foundation for a permanent presence by decade’s end. From the first landings near the moon’s south pole to building lunar bases and exploring the depths of ancient craters, none of this will happen without robust new wheels carrying us every step of the way.Will your idea help NASA conquer the moon’s toughest terrain?
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