Astrobotic Wins Contract for Lunar Wheels on Italian Habitat

The Pittsburgh-based space firm will contribute wheels for Italy's planned drivable lunar habitat.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Astrobotic, a space company based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has won a contract from Thales Alenia Space to provide the wheels for Italy's Multi-Purpose Habitation, a planned drivable lunar habitat. The undisclosed-value contract will have Astrobotic build light and flexible wheels to help the habitat handle the uneven lunar terrain during its planned 10-year mission.

Why it matters

This contract highlights the growing international cooperation in lunar exploration, with Astrobotic's expertise in lunar mobility combining with Thales Alenia Space Italia's leadership in habitation systems. It also demonstrates Astrobotic's continued success in securing commercial lunar contracts, building on its work with NASA's CLPS program.

The details

Astrobotic plans to build on its previous work on the wheels for its Astrobotic Mobility Platform, creating a larger tire that can withstand the rigors of the 10-year Italian Space Agency mission. The wheels are designed to be lightweight and flexible to save on launch costs while also helping the habitat navigate the uneven lunar terrain.

  • Astrobotic announced the contract on Friday, March 9, 2026.
  • Astrobotic is expected to deliver the wheels for the Italian habitat's planned 10-year mission.

The players

Astrobotic

A Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based space firm that specializes in lunar mobility and has received multiple contracts from NASA's CLPS program.

Thales Alenia Space

An aerospace manufacturer that is leading the development of Italy's Multi-Purpose Habitation, a planned drivable lunar habitat.

Italian Space Agency

The national space agency of Italy, which is planning a 10-year mission for the Multi-Purpose Habitation lunar habitat.

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What they’re saying

“This program highlights the strength of international cooperation in lunar exploration. By combining Astrobotic's experience in lunar mobility with Thales Alenia Space Italia's leadership in habitation systems, we are contributing to a shared vision for long-duration operations on the Moon.”

— Astrobotic spokesperson (Payload Space)

What’s next

Astrobotic is expected to deliver the wheels for the Italian habitat's planned 10-year mission.

The takeaway

This contract demonstrates the growing international cooperation in lunar exploration, with Astrobotic's expertise in lunar mobility contributing to Italy's planned drivable lunar habitat. It also highlights Astrobotic's continued success in securing commercial lunar contracts, building on its work with NASA's CLPS program.