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NASA Tournament Lab

Rock and Roll with NASA Challenge

Pays up to $155,000 across three phases for a new lunar rover wheel design.

This is a three-phase, down-select competition run through HeroX on NASA's behalf, seeking a lightweight, compliant wheel and tire that lets lunar rovers run at higher speeds over sharp regolith and across wide temperature swings than existing rigid-spoke designs allow. Phase 1 asks for a 3-D CAD model plus a roughly seven-page whitepaper describing the wheel's innovation, compliance mechanism, ma

Looking for a lightweight, compliant wheel and tire design for lunar rovers that can survive sharp regolith, extreme temperature swings, and speeds up to 24 km/h. Open to anyone 18 or older, from student teams and garage inventors to established aerospace firms, with no prior rover experience required.

CycleiHow often this grant runs - e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.No fixed schedule
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.-
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.6 weeks
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.-
Award typeiThe form of funding - grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.Prize
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.-
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.$155K

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