Curiosity Rover’s wheels show wear, but continue to roll on Mars
After more than a decade of surfing the surface of Mars, NASA’s Curiosity rover is showing signs of wear and tear on its wheels. Since landing in Gale Crater in 2012, the rover has traveled about 20 miles (32 kilometers) through rugged terrain, and its six wheels look pretty battered. Recent images taken by the rover’s Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) on September 22, 2024 show various types of damage, from small dents to large wounds.
Significant damage observed
Ashley Stroupe, a Mission Operations Engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), reassured enthusiasts that despite the extensive damage, the wheels remain functional. The rover’s wheels have been showing wear for years, with visible wear being the first noted as early as 2013. Considering that the one-ton rover traverses uneven surfaces with jagged rocks, some damage was expected. So the Curiosity team started regular inspections of the wheels to closely monitor their condition.
Efforts to maintain the life of the wheel
In an effort to preserve the life of the wheels, the team occasionally steered Curiosity away from treacherous terrain. Additionally, JPL engineers uploaded new software in 2017 that allows the rover to adjust the speed of each wheel. This adjustment helps minimize the pressure placed on the wheels when traversing rocky landscapes.
Ongoing mission and future insights
Despite the continued wear and tear evident in the latest images, Curiosity continues its scientific mission to explore Mars and search for signs of ancient microbial life. Insights gained from the damage observed on Curiosity’s wheels have already led to design improvements for the Perseverance rover’s wheels. With any luck, Curiosity’s wheels will hold, allowing the rover to continue its exploration of the Martian surface.
