In 2024, on the Puys mountain range, the crater of Lemptégy near Clermont-Ferrand has become the natural setting for human technical achievements. Michelin, the tire manufacturer, has unveiled a strange machine from its Auvergne laboratories.
In front of amazed hikers, huge blue wheels have tackled the rugged terrain of the volcano and its thirty-centimeter rocks. Through this test, the company’s scientists aimed to recreate the hostile landscape of the Moon, dotted with rocks.
Thirty thousand years old, Lemptégy has undergone many transformations. Once converted into a volcanic rock quarry and then a tourist attraction, this giant now serves as a general rehearsal for future lunar trips.
Because our celestial body is once again the object of all fantasies. Fifty years after the Apollo 11 expedition and astronaut Neil Armstrong’s first steps in 1969, a handful of men are taking off again. On April 1, 2026, the departure from Florida of the Space Launch System rocket – 98 meters high – stunned a crowd of 400,000 people and spectators worldwide.
NASA sent four astronauts to fly over the Moon for a ten-day journey. This marks the start of a series of extraordinary missions aiming to establish a lunar base by 2028, named “Artemis”, to uncover the mysteries of our satellite.
Extreme Conditions:
Michelin engineers are eager to participate in the adventure and have spent several years designing a space tire at a research center near Clermont-Ferrand. Facing declining sales due to competition from cheaper Asian tires, the French automotive manufacturer must innovate to regain its former glory.
Their space wheel, even stronger than the blue prototype tested on the volcano, could equip the astromobiles exploring the Moon. Constructed without air, the tire is made of thermoplastic, a malleable and elastic material able to withstand extreme terrains.
On the silver orb, gravity is six times weaker, and the soil is littered with craters covered in regolith, a rock and glass dust. One misstep could be fatal, prompting NASA to demand the best for its astronauts while controlling costs.
The agency has been seeking private partnerships since 2000, with Michelin joining Intuitive Machines in 2021 to develop an astro-mobile. After rigorous testing autonomously, Michelin presented their results to NASA in May 2025.
Considerable Prestige:
NASA must now choose one of three consortiums to send a futuristic vehicle with lunar landers. Amid uncertainties caused by changing schedules and political decisions, Michelin hopes to be selected, which would significantly boost its image following the closure of several French plants.
In Europe, the automotive industry sees a future in high-tech equipment. By partnering with the space sector, Michelin aims to develop ultra-sophisticated wheels for Earth, possibly for everyday cars in the future. While the exact path remains unclear, French engineers can pride themselves on aiming for the Moon.
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