New NASA Images Expose Major Damage to Curiosity Rover’s Wheel After 12 Years on Mars

Recent NASA images have revealed significant damage to one of the wheels of the Curiosity rover after 12 years of exploration on Mars. Despite visible tears and wear, the rover continues to function effectively. Curiosity, which landed on Mars on August 5, 2012, was initially intended for a two-year mission but has exceeded expectations by operating for over 4,323 Martian days and covering more than 20 miles. The rover has played a crucial role in studying the Martian environment and searching for signs of life while encountering numerous intriguing features on the planet’s surface. Despite the damage, mission engineers report that Curiosity is still performing well, though its condition raises questions about the longevity of robotic missions on Mars.

Recent images from NASA reveal significant damage to one of the wheels on the Curiosity rover, showcasing the wear and tear it has endured over 12 years of navigating the challenging Martian terrain. Despite these alarming images, the rover continues to operate effectively.

Captured by Curiosity’s onboard cameras, the photos reveal several large tears in the tire of its middle right wheel, underscoring the toll that time has taken on this resilient machine. Curiosity landed on Mars on August 5, 2012, originally designed for a two-year mission. However, it has far exceeded expectations, operating for 4,323 Martian days (or Sols) and traversing over 20 miles (32 kilometers) around Gale Crater, its initial landing site.

Throughout its mission, Curiosity has assisted scientists in examining the Martian atmosphere, searching for potential signs of life, and observing the far side of the sun. The rover has also encountered various peculiarities on the Red Planet, such as a rock resembling a book, a mineral formation that looks like a flower, an iconic Star Trek symbol, and an enigmatic “alien” doorway, among other fascinating finds.

The latest photos, taken with Curiosity’s Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) and released by NASA on September 24, reveal the extent of damage to the rover’s wheel. The images show multiple significant tears, including one large hole exposing the wheel’s internal components. It remains unclear when these damages first appeared or whether the other wheels have sustained similar wear.

Although the damage may seem severe, mission operations engineer Ashley Stroupe reassured that Curiosity “is still holding up well despite enduring some of the harshest conditions on Mars.” There is currently no sign that the rover will cease operations anytime soon. However, should that happen, it would join a growing list of robotic missions on Mars that have met unfortunate ends, including China’s Zhurong rover, which was confirmed inactive last year, and NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter, which sent its final communication back to Earth in April.

This isn’t the first instance of Curiosity’s wheels making headlines; just last year, researchers noted that NASA’s newest rover, Perseverance, had picked up a “pet rock” that became lodged in one of its wheel drums. This rock remained stuck for over a year before being dislodged in April 2023. Given the size of the largest hole in Curiosity’s wheel, it’s likely that dirt or small pebbles could have found their way into the rover’s rims, although this has yet to be confirmed.