Recent images transmitted by NASA’s Curiosity rover reveal extensive damage to one of its wheels that results from more than a decade spent exploring Mars’ hostile surface. Initially designed for a two-year mission, this machine continues to collect essential data despite the visible effects of time and obstacles on its structure.
A robot beyond expectations
Curiosity landed on Mars on August 5, 2012 in Gale Crater, a region chosen for its geological diversity and its potential to harbor traces of ancient water. Originally planned for a mission of just two years, the rover defied all expectations and is now operating for over twelve years and traveled more than 32 kilometers on the inhospitable surface of the red planet.
During its mission, Curiosity made many groundbreaking discoveries that transformed our understanding of Mars. For example, he identified evidence of ancient lakes and rivers, suggesting that this now-arid planet once possessed an environment suitable for microbial life. Analyzes carried out by its scientific instruments have detected organic compounds and chemical elements essential to life such as carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, which fuels the hope of discovering traces of past life.
In addition to this research into life, Curiosity has also studied fascinating geological phenomena, revealing a variety of intriguing rock formations. Among them, layered structures, grains of sand and book-shaped rocks demonstrate the complex geological evolution of Mars over billions of years. The rover also captured stunning images of Martian landscapes, providing crucial data for understanding the planet’s climatic history and geological cycles.
Wheels marked by Martian wear
Recent photos captured by the Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) reveal significant tears in the wheels of the Curiosity rover, including a hole in the right central wheel that exposes some of its internal mechanisms. This damage clearly illustrates the mechanical challenges of exploring Martian soil where the rugged terrain and sharp rocks test the robustness of exploration vehicles.
Curiosity’s wheels are of course designed to cope with these challenges. Each wheel measures approximately fifty centimeters in diameter and is manufactured in lightweight aluminumwhich allows it to maintain good maneuverability while being strong enough to support the weight of the rover.
Each wheel is also equipped with a tread chevron-shaped, which provides optimal grip on the varied surfaces of Mars. Reinforced teeth also act as crampons which allow the rover to climb slopes and tackle obstacles while protecting the rover’s internal structure from impacts.
Although engineers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) closely monitor the condition of Curiosity’s wheels and overall performance, the team provides reassurance about the rover’s strength. Thanks to its robust design and advanced materials, Curiosity continues to advance even in the most hostile environments, demonstrating remarkable resilience in the face of the extreme conditions of the Red Planet.
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