Why NASA redesigned its Martian wheels to survive sharper rocks

Space · Published 21 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Mars is a landscape of jagged hazards that can degrade machinery over time. To ensure the longevity of exploration, engineers had to evolve the rover's mobility system from its predecessors, moving beyond simple movement toward a more robust design capable of navigating sharp, pointy terrain.

The evolution of Mars rovers is a study in iterative engineering. The Curiosity rover, part of the Mars Science Laboratory mission, introduced a rocker-bogie suspension system and six wheels, each equipped with its own drive motor. A significant innovation for Curiosity was its dual-purpose mobility system, which functioned as both the primary drivetrain and the landing gear during the rocket-powered descent in August 2012. The rover's body is known as a warm electronics box, which protects its internal computer and sensors from extreme temperatures. This chassis frame also supports an equipment deck on top and a belly pan underneath.

However, real-world exploration revealed physical limitations. During its mission, Curiosity's wheels endured significant wear and tear from driving over sharp, pointy rocks. In response, engineers redesigned the wheels for the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover to be more robust. These new wheels feature a larger diameter, narrower profile, and thicker aluminum construction to better withstand the Martian surface. NASA received the six flight wheels for Perseverance specifically on March 30. These components were installed at Kennedy Space Center as part of final assembly tasks before the planned launch.

Perseverance also gained enhanced maneuverability. While it retains six wheels with individual drive motors, its four corner wheels include independent steering motors. This configuration allows the rover to turn in place a full 360 degrees or perform arcing turns by swerving. These mechanical refinements support Perseverance's specific mission: using a larger turret and coring drill to collect rock cores for future return to Earth. To house its new sampling tools, engineers modified the Curiosity design to include a specialized motor controller for internal movements. The rover's belly pan was also intentionally dropped shortly after landing to provide better access to the Martian atmosphere.

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