NASA has released a new video documenting the condition of the Curiosity rover\u2019s wheels after six years of driving on Mars, the agency\u2019s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) confirmed on 7 May 2026.<\/p>\n
The video<\/a>, produced by NASA\/JPL, shows footage of the rover\u2019s aluminium wheels as they have traversed the rocky Martian terrain since Curiosity landed in 2012. The footage highlights the wear and tear accumulated over the course of the mission, including punctures and tears in the wheel\u2019s treads caused by sharp rocks.<\/p>\nRelated: Satellite Images Reveal Wider Damage to US Bases in Middle East Than Previously Reported<\/a><\/p>\nTime-lapse video from NASA\u2019s Curiosity rover. Credit: NASAWheel Damage & Design<\/p>\nCuriosity\u2019s wheels are each 50 centimetres in diameter and feature 19 zigzag-shaped treads, known as grousers, designed to provide traction on loose sand and rocky ground. According to NASA, the wheels have suffered damage from driving over sharp, embedded rocks in the Gale Crater region, where the rover has been exploring the base of Mount Sharp. The video documents the progressive deterioration of the treads, with some grousers showing significant breaks and holes.<\/p>\nEngineers at JPL have been monitoring the wheel condition closely since the first signs of damage appeared in 2013. To mitigate further wear, the rover team has adjusted Curiosity\u2019s driving routes, opting for smoother terrain where possible, and has developed a technique called \u201cslip-checking\u201d to reduce the risk of wheel damage when traversing steep or uneven surfaces.<\/p>\nDriving Distance & Mission Progress<\/p>\nAs of the video\u2019s release, Curiosity had driven approximately 24 kilometres across the Martian surface since its landing. The rover\u2019s primary mission is to investigate the climate and geology of Mars, with a focus on determining whether the planet ever offered environmental conditions favourable for microbial life. The wheel footage serves as a visual record of the physical challenges of long-duration planetary exploration.<\/p>\n Published by Arthur Vance<\/p>\n Senior Technical Correspondent for Orbital Today. Arthur specialises in the strategic intersection of the UK\u2019s space sector, European defence initiatives, and the global impact of AI on orbital logistics. With a background in aerospace analysis, he delivers precise reporting on satellite technology and autonomous systems for an international professional audience.<\/p>\n All posts by Arthur Vance<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"NASA has released a new video documenting the condition of the Curiosity rover\u2019s wheels after six years of…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":473797,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[77],"tags":[18,19,17,1024,5,133],"class_list":{"0":"post-473796","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-science","8":"tag-eire","9":"tag-ie","10":"tag-ireland","11":"tag-nasa","12":"tag-news","13":"tag-science"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@ie\/116535791072563277","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/473796","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=473796"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/473796\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/473797"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=473796"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=473796"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=473796"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
Related: Satellite Images Reveal Wider Damage to US Bases in Middle East Than Previously Reported<\/a><\/p>\nTime-lapse video from NASA\u2019s Curiosity rover. Credit: NASAWheel Damage & Design<\/p>\nCuriosity\u2019s wheels are each 50 centimetres in diameter and feature 19 zigzag-shaped treads, known as grousers, designed to provide traction on loose sand and rocky ground. According to NASA, the wheels have suffered damage from driving over sharp, embedded rocks in the Gale Crater region, where the rover has been exploring the base of Mount Sharp. The video documents the progressive deterioration of the treads, with some grousers showing significant breaks and holes.<\/p>\nEngineers at JPL have been monitoring the wheel condition closely since the first signs of damage appeared in 2013. To mitigate further wear, the rover team has adjusted Curiosity\u2019s driving routes, opting for smoother terrain where possible, and has developed a technique called \u201cslip-checking\u201d to reduce the risk of wheel damage when traversing steep or uneven surfaces.<\/p>\nDriving Distance & Mission Progress<\/p>\nAs of the video\u2019s release, Curiosity had driven approximately 24 kilometres across the Martian surface since its landing. The rover\u2019s primary mission is to investigate the climate and geology of Mars, with a focus on determining whether the planet ever offered environmental conditions favourable for microbial life. The wheel footage serves as a visual record of the physical challenges of long-duration planetary exploration.<\/p>\n Published by Arthur Vance<\/p>\n Senior Technical Correspondent for Orbital Today. Arthur specialises in the strategic intersection of the UK\u2019s space sector, European defence initiatives, and the global impact of AI on orbital logistics. With a background in aerospace analysis, he delivers precise reporting on satellite technology and autonomous systems for an international professional audience.<\/p>\n All posts by Arthur Vance<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"NASA has released a new video documenting the condition of the Curiosity rover\u2019s wheels after six years of…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":473797,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[77],"tags":[18,19,17,1024,5,133],"class_list":{"0":"post-473796","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-science","8":"tag-eire","9":"tag-ie","10":"tag-ireland","11":"tag-nasa","12":"tag-news","13":"tag-science"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@ie\/116535791072563277","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/473796","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=473796"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/473796\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/473797"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=473796"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=473796"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=473796"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
Time-lapse video from NASA\u2019s Curiosity rover. Credit: NASAWheel Damage & Design<\/p>\nCuriosity\u2019s wheels are each 50 centimetres in diameter and feature 19 zigzag-shaped treads, known as grousers, designed to provide traction on loose sand and rocky ground. According to NASA, the wheels have suffered damage from driving over sharp, embedded rocks in the Gale Crater region, where the rover has been exploring the base of Mount Sharp. The video documents the progressive deterioration of the treads, with some grousers showing significant breaks and holes.<\/p>\nEngineers at JPL have been monitoring the wheel condition closely since the first signs of damage appeared in 2013. To mitigate further wear, the rover team has adjusted Curiosity\u2019s driving routes, opting for smoother terrain where possible, and has developed a technique called \u201cslip-checking\u201d to reduce the risk of wheel damage when traversing steep or uneven surfaces.<\/p>\nDriving Distance & Mission Progress<\/p>\nAs of the video\u2019s release, Curiosity had driven approximately 24 kilometres across the Martian surface since its landing. The rover\u2019s primary mission is to investigate the climate and geology of Mars, with a focus on determining whether the planet ever offered environmental conditions favourable for microbial life. The wheel footage serves as a visual record of the physical challenges of long-duration planetary exploration.<\/p>\n Published by Arthur Vance<\/p>\n Senior Technical Correspondent for Orbital Today. Arthur specialises in the strategic intersection of the UK\u2019s space sector, European defence initiatives, and the global impact of AI on orbital logistics. With a background in aerospace analysis, he delivers precise reporting on satellite technology and autonomous systems for an international professional audience.<\/p>\n All posts by Arthur Vance<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"NASA has released a new video documenting the condition of the Curiosity rover\u2019s wheels after six years of…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":473797,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[77],"tags":[18,19,17,1024,5,133],"class_list":{"0":"post-473796","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-science","8":"tag-eire","9":"tag-ie","10":"tag-ireland","11":"tag-nasa","12":"tag-news","13":"tag-science"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@ie\/116535791072563277","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/473796","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=473796"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/473796\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/473797"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=473796"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=473796"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=473796"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
Curiosity\u2019s wheels are each 50 centimetres in diameter and feature 19 zigzag-shaped treads, known as grousers, designed to provide traction on loose sand and rocky ground. According to NASA, the wheels have suffered damage from driving over sharp, embedded rocks in the Gale Crater region, where the rover has been exploring the base of Mount Sharp. The video documents the progressive deterioration of the treads, with some grousers showing significant breaks and holes.<\/p>\n
Engineers at JPL have been monitoring the wheel condition closely since the first signs of damage appeared in 2013. To mitigate further wear, the rover team has adjusted Curiosity\u2019s driving routes, opting for smoother terrain where possible, and has developed a technique called \u201cslip-checking\u201d to reduce the risk of wheel damage when traversing steep or uneven surfaces.<\/p>\n
Driving Distance & Mission Progress<\/p>\n
As of the video\u2019s release, Curiosity had driven approximately 24 kilometres across the Martian surface since its landing. The rover\u2019s primary mission is to investigate the climate and geology of Mars, with a focus on determining whether the planet ever offered environmental conditions favourable for microbial life. The wheel footage serves as a visual record of the physical challenges of long-duration planetary exploration.<\/p>\n
Published by Arthur Vance<\/p>\n
Senior Technical Correspondent for Orbital Today. Arthur specialises in the strategic intersection of the UK\u2019s space sector, European defence initiatives, and the global impact of AI on orbital logistics. With a background in aerospace analysis, he delivers precise reporting on satellite technology and autonomous systems for an international professional audience.<\/p>\n
All posts by Arthur Vance<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"NASA has released a new video documenting the condition of the Curiosity rover\u2019s wheels after six years of…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":473797,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[77],"tags":[18,19,17,1024,5,133],"class_list":{"0":"post-473796","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-science","8":"tag-eire","9":"tag-ie","10":"tag-ireland","11":"tag-nasa","12":"tag-news","13":"tag-science"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@ie\/116535791072563277","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/473796","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=473796"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/473796\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/473797"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=473796"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=473796"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=473796"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}