NASA'a new Mars Rover Wheel Design

NASA’s Curiosity rover has been enduring tire damages on Mars unable to withstand its rough conditions. NASA engineers have reinvented the wheel into a form that may one day conquer Mars.

Glenn Research engineers have revealed a new super-elastic tire constructed from nickel titanium. A shape memory alloy able to flex, conform and then return to its original shape even after traversing the most punishing of terrains.

Spring tires which use a tubular structure of steel mesh to cushion rovers as they roll. Spring tires have many fine qualities as the mesh forms a pattern that provides good grip on many surfaces. It is also light in nature and can survive some damages. But spring tires don't deform well. If one rolls over a sharp rock, it can acquire a dent - or “plastic deformation”

The Nickel-titanium alloy can suffer up to 10% strain about 30 times better elasticity.They can bear nearly 10 times the weight of Curiosity's wheels, can function between -202 and 194 degrees Fahrenheit, have a better grip over rocks and sand, and can climb slopes about 23% steeper.

The new wheels boast some impressive stats and would aid in future martian explorations.