Abstract: A space shuttle wheel acceleration system includes a plurality of attachm bands located in the grooves of a tire and extending around the circumference of the tire with collapsible cups attached to the attachment bands located at spaced intervals around the tire that pop open on the downwind portion of a tire revolution to catch the wind and rotate the tire and collapse on the downwind portion of a revolution to reduce drag. The cups include elastic-bands to maintain the cup in a collapsed state when not catching the wind and also include stiffeners to prevent the cups from folding over when catching the wind. A breakaway buckle attaches the ends of each attachment band and automatically fails when the tire touches down to shed the space shuttle wheel acceleration system for smooth runway performance.