Have you ever dreamed of being an inventor for NASA? Well, now is your chance! NASA is asking for help from creative people everywhere, including students, to design the wheels for their next Moon rover. It’s part of a real-life mission to explore the lunar surface, and your idea could one day be rolling across the Moon!

The Rock and Roll with NASA Challenge

NASA has launched the “Rock and Roll with NASA Challenge” to find a new kind of wheel that can handle the tough environment of the Moon. The Moon’s surface, called regolith, is covered in razor-sharp dust and rocks. The temperatures are extreme, from scorching hot to freezing cold. A Moon rover’s wheels need to be strong enough to survive all of that, but also lightweight and able to travel at higher speeds than ever before.

According to NASA, “The next era of lunar exploration demands a new kind of wheel – one that can sprint across razor-sharp regolith, shrug off extremely cold nights, and keep a rover rolling day after lunar day.” [1]

This challenge is open to everyone, from student teams to professional engineers. The best ideas will win prize money, and the winning designs will be built and tested by NASA at the Johnson Space Center in a special area that mimics the lunar terrain.

The Future of Moon Exploration: The Artemis Program

This challenge is part of NASA’s Artemis program, which plans to send astronauts back to the Moon. But this time, they want to stay and build a permanent base. To do that, they need new and improved equipment, including rovers that can travel farther and carry more cargo. The Artemis missions will also land the first woman and the first person of color on the Moon, making it a historic step for all of humanity.

By participating in challenges like this, you can be a part of this exciting future of space exploration. You can learn about engineering, problem-solving, and what it takes to design technology for other worlds.

Q&A

Q: Do I need to be an expert to enter the challenge?

A: No! NASA is looking for creative ideas from everyone. Student teams are encouraged to participate. You can find more information and the official rules on the challenge website.

Q: What is regolith?

A: Regolith is the layer of loose dust, soil, and broken rock that covers the Moon’s surface. It’s very different from soil on Earth and can be very abrasive and sharp.

Q: Why is it so cold on the Moon?

A: The Moon has no atmosphere to trap heat, so when an area is in shadow, the temperature can drop to hundreds of degrees below zero. This is a huge challenge for any equipment sent to the Moon.

Sources

[1] NASA. (2025, September 3). Rock and Roll with NASA Challenge. https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/stmd/prizes-challenges-crowdsourcing-program/center-of-excellence-for-collaborative-innovation-coeci/rock-and-roll-with-nasa-challenge/

[2] DOGO News. (2025, September 19). Can You Help Design NASA’s Next Lunar Wheel? https://www.dogonews.com/2025/9/19/can-you-build-nasas-next-lunar-wheel

[3] NASA. (n.d.). What Is the Artemis Program? (Grades K-4). https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/for-kids-and-students/what-is-the-artemis-program-grades-k-4/