Fun fact: the rover would be able to drive perfectly fine even if the inner 2/3 of the wheel rim totally breaks off. There is enough toque in the wheel motors to pull the entire rover up a vertical wall if only one of them was operating. It could drive fine if the wheels were square.
https://bsky.app/profile/elakdawalla.bsky.social/post/3mhri6ip3fk2g
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NASA's Mars rover Curiosity acquired this image using its Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI), located on the turret at the end of the rover's robotic arm, on March 23, 2026, Sol 4844 of the Mars Science Laboratory Mission, at 08:00:54 UTC.
Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS​
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Raw data
by Neaterntal
49 Comments
Call AAA. Please tell me NASA is a member of AAA.
One of my most favorite and repeat-requested 3D prints is broken Mars Rover Wheels, to use as a desk caddy/pen holder:
[https://makerworld.com/en/models/378492-mars-curiosity-rover-wheel-cup-candle-holder](https://makerworld.com/en/models/378492-mars-curiosity-rover-wheel-cup-candle-holder)
So Metal eating bacteria on mars confirmed?/s
*Hikes up space-mechanic overalls
“Yep, yer gonna get that.”
Can’t believe it’s been around for 13 years. Like we just take for granted this little robot is scooting around on a different planet all by itself for over a decade.
Need to re-tire
Those are *way* past their warranty period
And of course they don’t brought spare wheels! What do we pay our taxes for?
Wonder how long a quik fit fitter would take to change them
Looks like my sons Power wheels that he drives everyday
Time for a full service
Mars is a harsh mistress.
Damn, they don’t make them like they use to, huh?
*Slaps the rotting Chevy S-10s hood*
Absolutely amazing that guy is still plugging along after 13 years. I think my biggest concern with the wheels would be that inner chunk breaking off in one continuous ring and then damaging the control cable visible in the pictures as it’s dragged along.
I can barely keep a car running for 13 years so the fact that this thing’s been up there with no chance at regular maintenance is impressive!
bono, my tyres are gone
That’s a feat for not doing a single component change for 13 years 🎉 Can’t believe it’s been 13 years since Curiosity landed on the red planet too
He’s a soldier that little robotÂ
Shoulda went with Nike’s
Wal-E
The drivers at NASA really gotta stop programming in burnouts and trying to jump every small hill they see!
We have been trying to reach them about the rovers extended warranty
Poor old girl, but still trucking! I’m always amazed at just how long these rovers can keep going for. I’ll be devastated when she eventually stops functioning. Not going to lie, I cried when they finally pulled the plug on Spirit and Opportunity.
That’s too close to the tire wall. Discount Tire will never patch this.
“Curiosity wheels taken yesterday” — I thought Jesus Christ, there’s an epidemic of bike wheels being stolen in my city, but there are wheel thiefs on Mars now?!
Poor design
xpost to /r/nails
13 years feels like yesterday. 🥺
Wasn’t the original plan to only be 3 months until it died?
Of which material are the wheels ?
Those wheels are seriously fugged
Am now curious what caused the damage rust or the sand storms , or was it thought terrain
Incredible what nasa could engineer once.
I’ve seen the same quality tires on Nissan Altimas.
Why don’t they make wheels that don’t fall apart are they stupid?
How many martian years?
First manned mission to Mars should bring a repair kit and some new wheels. Update everything possible and keep her rolling!
Gotta call septuple A for a tow.
Looks like my Big Wheel tires from doing too many slides.
How thin are the wheels?
Awe….rovers just like me at five with a blownout big wheel.
Roadside assistance, anyone? /s
Also interesting to know that these wheels have driven less than 40km (25 miles) to end up looking like that. Mars is not a friendly environment for cars.
Show us the unedited pictures NASA. Stop hiding things from us
13 years…but how many miles?