Space & Astronomy

NASA reveals wheel damage sustained by Curiosity rover on Mars

By T.K. Randall
October 4, 2024

Image: Curiosity Rover
Credit: (PD) NASA/JPL-Caltech via Wikimedia Commons Having been trundling around on the surface of a distant, inhospitable world since 2012, it is perhaps remarkable that Curiosity is even still functioning at all - especially after covering a large distance across hostile terrain while being exposed to dust storms, radiation and other hazards.

That's not to say that it hasn't picked up some damage along the way, however.

To demonstrate the toll that Mars has taken on the rover, NASA has published two new photographs showing significant damage to the treads of Curiosity's wheels.

While the damage looks bad, the space agency has emphasized that the wheels are still working well.

"These big wheels keep on turning," NASA wrote from the perspective of the rover."Recent photos of my wheels got some of you worried, but I'm here to reassure you, we're just fine!"

"If it came down to it, I could shed part of them off and keep on rolling."

According to NASA mission operations engineer Ashley Stroupe, the images are part of the team's "periodic check-in on our wheels to see how they are holding up on the rough terrain".

"[The rover] is still holding up well despite taking some of the worst abuse from Mars," she added.

These big wheels keep on turning. 🛞

Recent photos of my wheels got some of you worried, but I'm here to reassure you, we're just fine! The images help my team keep tabs on wear and tear. If it came down to it, I could shed part of them off and keep on rolling. pic.twitter.com/h1oKLB3oW7

— Curiosity Rover (@MarsCuriosity) October 4, 2024

Source: Sky News

Tags: Mars, Curiosity