"Bridgestone demonstrates a new generation of lunar rover tires, improving performance and heading towards a new era of space exploration"

　　According to Tire Business, Bridgestone recently launched a new lunar rover tire, claiming that its performance has improved compared to the first-generation lunar rover tire released in 2019. A model of the new concept tire was first unveiled at the 39th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs from April 8-11. Bridgestone will demonstrate the product at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Japan Aerospace Industries booth.

　　According to Bridgestone, the first-generation lunar rover tires feature a unique technology inspired by the pads of camels traveling across the desert. The tire tread is attached with a layer of soft metal felt material to enhance the friction between the tire and the fine sand on the lunar surface and improve traction. In order to cope with the extreme environment of the moon, the company adopted newly developed "Air Free®" tire technology in the tire frame structure and introduced thin metal spokes.

　　Bridgestone uses structural simulation technology to optimize the shape and thickness of the metal spokes so they can flex and minimize local strains, thereby improving tire durability. The application of this technology not only increases the contact area between the tire and the ground, but also reduces the sinking of the tread, thus improving traction and traversing ability.

　　The lunar rover tires are part of Bridgestone's efforts to expand the "inflatable" technology it has developed for Earth-based vehicles into space and the lunar surface. The company said its future goal is to apply improved tire technology to Earth tires to improve their performance in extreme environments.