A routine check performed by NASA has uncovered two tears on the treads of the Mars Curiosity Rover’s left middle wheel. The damage isn’t unexpected, nor is it catastrophic, but it’s a reminder that this intrepid little explorer won’t last forever.
Scientists with the Curiosity mission noticed the small breaks, both of which are on the rover’s raised treads, on March 19. NASA last took a look at the wheels on January 27 and noticed nothing out of the ordinary, so the damage occurred only recently. NASA obviously isn’t happy about it, but insists the wear-and-tear will not change its current science plans or diminish the rover’s opportunities to study key features on Mars.
“All six wheels have more than enough working lifespan remaining to get the vehicle to all destinations planned for the mission,” said Curiosity Project Manager Jim Erickson, in an agency release. “While not unexpected, this damage is the first sign that the left middle wheel is nearing a wheel-wear milestone.”
More:
http://gizmodo.com/the-curiosity-rovers-wheels-arent-looking-so-good-1793529649
