SHERIDAN, WYOMING – August 7, 2025 – What do the surface of the moon and your daily commute have in common? Not much—unless you’re Bridgestone, now taking its tire expertise beyond Earth in an exciting collaboration with Japanese space startup ispace. Together, they’re developing flexible tires for the smallest lunar rovers ever built, pushing the boundaries of mobility to places where roads don’t even exist.
In a move that feels both futuristic and fitting, Bridgestone has signed an agreement with ispace to supply advanced tires for upcoming lunar rover prototypes. These aren’t your average all-terrain tires—Bridgestone is developing ultra-elastic wheels that can adapt to the moon’s jagged, unpaved surface with a soft, shape-shifting design.
From highway to high orbit: a new kind of mobility
Bridgestone’s history is grounded in earthbound performance, but this leap into space represents a whole new kind of traction challenge. The tires, being engineered specifically for the unique conditions of the moon, must endure sharp temperature changes, cratered surfaces, and complete lack of atmosphere.
Testing won’t happen on the moon just yet—performance verification will begin on Earth. If successful, the companies hope to roll out practical application by 2029. That’s not just a dream—it's a roadmap for a new era of off-roading, 238,855 miles from home.
Why this matters for the rest of us
This isn’t just about space exploration. It’s about the ripple effect of innovation. The technologies being tested for lunar missions often filter back into consumer products. Think anti-lock brakes (originally developed for aircraft), or memory foam (invented by NASA). The breakthroughs in flexibility, weight reduction, and durability in Bridgestone’s moon tires could very well find their way into our own vehicles, e-scooters, and even athletic gear in the near future.
Takeshi Hakamada, founder and CEO of ispace, emphasized the big picture:
“ispace’s goal of establishing a new economy on the moon requires the participation of players from a wide range of industries. This agreement to test and verify technology for future lunar missions is proof of this.”
He added, “The micro rovers being developed by ispace are some of the world’s smallest lunar rovers. They will be indispensable technology for the moon, and a new frontier for humanity. We look forward to this collaborative effort with Bridgestone.”
Bridgestone’s space journey started long before this
Masaki Ota, Bridgestone’s director of OE business strategy and new mobility, notes that the company began researching lunar tires as far back as 2019. Their April 2025 concept models already feature lighter-weight solutions specifically designed for small and medium-sized rovers.
“We are very honored to start collaborating with ispace, who shares our vision for these initiatives,” Ota said. “We are working to further expand our network in the space business and create new opportunities for co-creation.”
Moon tires vs. Earth tires: What’s the difference?
Here’s how Bridgestone’s lunar tire concepts stack up against traditional tires:
- Flexibility
• Lunar: Built to flex and mold to rocky lunar soil
• Earth: Generally firm with some adaptive tread - Weight
• Lunar: Ultra-light to conserve fuel on space missions
• Earth: Optimized for safety and fuel efficiency - Material
• Lunar: No air; relies on mesh and elastic structures
• Earth: Air-filled rubber with steel reinforcement - Traction Environment
• Lunar: Zero atmosphere, loose dust
• Earth: Wet, dry, icy, and paved roads
Looking ahead: the moon as a business frontier
The project is also aligned with Japan’s national ambitions. Both companies plan to tap into funding from the Space Strategy Fund, managed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), reinforcing Japan’s growing role in space innovation.
While the thought of tire tech may not usually stir the imagination, this partnership between Bridgestone and ispace proves that even the most grounded industries can reach for the stars—literally. It also reminds us that the road ahead might not be a road at all.
Want to follow the journey?
Learn more at Bridgestone’s official site.