Michelin Launches Ban Prototype For Moon Explore

Vehicles with tires to explore the moon designed by Michelin. (ANTARA/HO/Michelin)

JAKARTA - Tire manufacturer Michelin launched a prototype airless tire designed to explore the moon at the Le Mans 24 Hours event, in France in mid-June as part of NASA's Artemis program.

Michelin is developing the airless tires for a rover on a project that will operate on the moon for a decade, taking two astronauts, exploring remote areas, and sampling.

In the midst of a manned mission, this vehicle will travel to various landing points automatically and function independently. "We have carried out various studies for lunar vehicles and in 2021, we are starting a new collaboration with the Intuitive Machines design and partner team, namely Northrop Grumman, Boeing, and AVL, to develop tires for the Artemis project' lunar vehicles," said Michelin Director of Advanced Research, Christophe Moriceau, through a press release reported by ANTARA, Saturday, June 22.

The tires are carefully designed to be able to deal with extreme conditions while on the moon, such as adhesion, no atmosphere, abrasive resistance, to low resistance.

The development was carried out in Massif Central, France to simulate real lunar conditions.

Although lunar rock samples have been brought back from previous missions, scientific publications are a major reference source for researchers in Michelin.

Melalui hal tersebut, Michelin menyadari kawasan vulkanik di wilayah Auvergne, Perancis – tidak jauh dari Kantor Pusat Michelin di Clermont-Ferrand di Massif Central – memiliki kemiripan dengan tanah di bulan dan menjadikannya lokasi yang tepat untuk pengujian.

Moriceau said the project was carried out after 135 missions carried out during 1995 to 2007, and thanks to the design and production of tires for NASA's shuttle project created by Michelin.

"This proves Michelin's expertise in the field of composite materials, as one of the pillars of the company's growth and always presents new technology thanks to its commitment to continue to innovate," he said.

In addition to encouraging companies to explore all kinds of mobility and its implementation in the future, Michelin's expertise strengthens its position as at the forefront. Not only on motorsports, on ordinary roads, but also in outer space.