REPORTAGE – The company’s engineers are inventing the wheel for the lunar vehicle that NASA plans to send at the end of the decade. They will know within three months whether their project will be accepted.
In a round shed of corrugated iron, identical to those on farms, a strange carriage on four strange blue wheels goes back and forth on a track covered in sand. Its driver, Julien Souquières, equipped with a full-face motorcycle helmet, is however not a farmer. He is one of six Michelin engineers entirely dedicated for almost three years to the success of NASA’s tender, of which michelin is part, to invent the next “lunar rover“, the vehicle destined to travel to the Moon during the next Artemis mission at the end of the decade .
There are three teams in the running selected by NASA last April. Michelin is one of the partners of the company led by the American Intuitive Machines together with Boeing, Northrop Grumman and AVL. Another competing team, Lunar Outpost, includes Michelin’s american competitor Goodyear and General Motors. Venturi…
What innovative technologies are being implemented in Michelin’s lunar rover tires for the Artemis mission?
Engaging Interview: Michelin’s Enterprising Journey to Create the Next Lunar Rover Tire
Interview between Time.news Editor and Julien Souquières, Michelin Engineer
Time.news Editor: Thank you for joining us today, Julien. It’s fascinating to learn that Michelin is part of the team developing the next lunar rover for NASA’s Artemis mission. Could you start by telling us what exactly this project entails?
Julien Souquières: Absolutely, and thank you for having me! This project is a collaboration wiht Intuitive Machines, along with other industry leaders like Boeing and Northrop Grumman. Our mission over the past three years has been to innovate and create a specialized wheel for the lunar rover that will navigate the Moon’s harsh terrain during the Artemis mission scheduled for the end of the decade.
Time.news Editor: that’s incredible! Could you share some of the unique challenges your team has faced when developing tires for use on the Moon?
Julien souquières: Certainly. The Moon presents some unique conditions, such as a lack of atmosphere, extreme temperature fluctuations, and a surface covered with fine dust and sharp rocks. Our engineers had to rethink traditional tire design completely. We need to ensure that the wheels are not only durable and lightweight but also capable of providing traction on an unpredictable surface. It’s about “inventing the wheel” all over again—much more than just a metaphor!
Time.news Editor: The term “inventing the wheel” really encapsulates the enormity of this task. With several teams vying for this NASA contract,what differentiates Michelin’s approach from your competitors?
Julien Souquières: Our design philosophy is heavily rooted in collaboration and innovation. While other teams, like the Lunar Outpost with Goodyear, focus solely on traditional methodologies, we at Michelin leverage our extensive experience in various terrains on Earth, adapting our learnings to extraterrestrial contexts. Our teams are also highly collaborative, ensuring that every aspect of our wheel is engineered to work in harmony with the entire rover system.
Time.news Editor: Collaboration seems key, especially when working with diverse teams. What are the anticipated implications of your work on future lunar missions or even other planetary explorations?
Julien Souquières: This project isn’t just about the Moon. The advancements we make could have ripple effects for future Mars missions or even expeditions to asteroids. The technology we develop for these lunar tires can lead to more robust designs for any extraterrestrial vehicle, paving the way for longer and more efficient missions. Think of it as an investment in the future of space exploration.
Time.news Editor: It’s exciting to consider how this work could impact planetary exploration as a whole. What practical advice would you give readers who might be interested in pursuing careers in aerospace engineering or related fields?
Julien Souquières: I’d advise anyone interested to embrace interdisciplinary learning. Aerospace engineering draws on various fields, from robotics to materials science. Hands-on experience, like internships, can provide invaluable insights and practical skills. Lastly, stay curious and keep challenging conventional norms—innovation stems from asking the right questions!
Time.news Editor: Those are great insights, Julien! As we wrap up, can you share any timelines we shoudl watch for regarding the development and testing of the lunar wheels?
Julien Souquières: Certainly! We expect to have critical feedback from NASA within the next three months regarding our design proposal. This will be a notable milestone for us, as it will determine the next steps in our development process. We’re hopeful and excited about what lies ahead.
Time.news Editor: Thank you for sharing this wonderful glimpse into Michelin’s groundbreaking project. We look forward to seeing how you and your team continue to push the boundaries of engineering in space exploration.
Julien souquières: Thank you for the opportunity! It’s an exciting time for all of us involved in this mission.