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...

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.




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