Hi everyone,
My team and I participated in NASA’s Rock & Roll Challenge last November, where we designed and analyzed a lunar rover wheel for NASA’s MicroChariot (fully virtual: requirements, engineering analysis, and CAD). We put a huge amount of effort into this work, and I genuinely feel this design shouldn’t remain just a 3D model.
I’d love to explore ways this concept could become real hardware — whether through funding opportunities, follow-up competitions, student prototyping programs, or (if appropriate) sharing the idea with space companies or research groups.
If anyone here has experience turning challenge work into hardware, research, or real-world applications, I’d really appreciate any advice or pointers.
About our wheel (Torsia):
Torsia is a modular lunar wheel concept that combines torsion-based compliance with paddle-inspired regolith trapping to achieve adaptive traction, shock absorption, and durability on challenging lunar terrain. The design uses 36 modular segments connected to a central titanium spine via torsional rods, enabling controlled flexibility and rapid shape recovery while minimizing regolith scattering and self-burial. Each segment is designed for metal additive manufacturing (PBF), allowing optimized internal structures and easy replacement to extend mission lifetime.
Our full report includes solution metrics, engineering feasibility, manufacturing and prototyping plans, and team narrative.
Thanks in advance, I’d love to learn from this community.