NASA ‘superelastic' tires set for Earth-bound roll-out

Washington - Consumer tires based on NASA 'superelastic' technology are set to reach the market next year, according to Smart Tire Co., a start-up linked to the US space agency.

NASA, it said, developed the non-pneumatic tire for lunar and Martian rover vehicles to replace aluminium wheels, which were being damaged by the rough terrain.

Smart Tire holds a commercial licence for the airless and retreadable bicycle tire that uses 50% less rubber than standard products.

To be "competitively priced as a premium tire," the airless tire will be available to order in the third quarter of 2026, according to the company.

According to developers at NASA's Glenn Research Center, the new tire and wheel-set is capable of withstanding large deformations without permanent damage.

The design, it claims, “eliminates puncture failures and under-inflation, improves fuel efficiency and safety, and removes the need for an inner frame, simplifying the tire-wheel assembly.”

Another feature is the use of special shape-memory alloys – mainly based on nickel-titanium – capable of recovery from high strain as load-bearing components.

Target applications also include: on- and off-road vehicle tires; military, ballistic-resistant tires; industrial machinery; aerospace; and motorsport tire.