AURORA-S™ Wheel — Auxetic Self-Adaptive Lunar Wheel
The AURORA-S™ wheel is a next-generation, all-metal compliant lunar wheel designed by Acme Space LLC (USA) for the NASA Rock & Roll Wheel Challenge 2025.
It uses a novel combination of an auxetic tread structure and S-shaped leaf-spring suspension to achieve the flexibility of a soft tire with the durability of a metallic mesh.
The design enables high-speed mobility (up to 24 km/h) on sharp lunar regolith while maintaining low ground pressure and full dust tolerance.
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Key Parameters
Property | Value / Description |
Outer diameter | 483 mm (18 in) |
Width | 203 mm (8 in) |
Total mass | ≈ 1.95 kg (≤ 2.3 kg target) |
Load rating | 256–400 N (meets 2× MicroChariot lunar GVW spec) |
Material system | 17-7PH stainless steel tread + 301 SS S-springs + 7075-T6 Al hub ring |
Operating range | −250 °C to +120 °C; vacuum, dust, radiation |
Lifetime goal | > 1 000 km equivalent lunar distance |
Temperature zones | Lunar Day / Polar Regions / PSRs compatible |
Auxetic tread shell
Laser-cut auxetic lattice expands laterally when compressed.
As the wheel contacts a rock, the lattice opens—spreading the load, lowering sinkage, and increasing grip.
The open structure self-cleans; regolith exits through the lattice pores.
S-spring compliant core
Twelve S-shaped stainless-steel leaf springs connect the tread to the inner ring.
Each spring flexes elastically, absorbing shocks and vibration.
The mechanism functions in both directions—forward and reverse—without plowing the soil.
Inner hub ring
Precision aluminum interface mates directly with the NASA MicroChariot hub (no intrusion into keep-out zone).
Fastened by micro-rivets; field-replaceable segments allow serviceability.
Why It’s the Best Fit for Lunar Mobility
Challenge | AURORA-S™ Solution |
Abrasive, electrostatic regolith | No rubber—fully metallic, dust-immune lattice |
Extreme thermal swings | Metals chosen for matched CTE and fatigue strength |
Limited traction in 1/6 g | Auxetic tread enlarges contact area → higher friction |
Vibration at 24 km/h speeds | S-spring core absorbs impact energy |
Maintenance difficulty | Few parts, no inflation, no consumables |
Mass limit ≤ 2.3 kg | 1.95 kg achieved |
Scalability | Design scales 0.5 m → 1.2 m for larger rovers |
Target Missions & Applications
Mission / Use Case | Function |
NASA Artemis Base Camp | Crew mobility & cargo rovers operating in polar regions |
CLPS landers / MicroChariot | Logistics rover wheel – current NASA test platform |
VIPER follow-on missions | Upgrade for extended-range resource exploration rovers |
ISRU & construction bots | Dust-resistant mobility for regolith excavation and material transport |
ESA / JAXA collaborations | Cross-agency lunar surface operations (unified wheel standard) |
All-metal durability → survives micrometeoroids, UV, temperature cycling.
Auxetic geometry → prevents sinkage, distributes load, improves traction.
Compliant S-spring system → passive suspension, no actuators, long fatigue life.
Self-cleaning & dust-tolerant → open lattice ejects regolith automatically.
Lightweight & modular → under 2 kg per wheel, field-replaceable segments.
Scalable & manufacturable → laser-cut + cold-formed metal, no exotic materials.
The AURORA-S™ wheel merges structural compliance and auxetic mechanics into a single, manufacturable architecture capable of surviving the Moon’s harshest terrain.
With NASA-validated parameters, low mass, and full compatibility with the MicroChariot test platform, it offers a practical path toward sustainable lunar mobility for both robotic and crewed surface missions.
