Curiosity Rover's Wheel Damage Shows Resilience on Mars

Despite a large hole in its wheel, NASA's Curiosity rover continues its mission on Mars after 12 years of exploration.

NASA's Curiosity rover has sustained significant damage to its middle right wheel, with a large hole exposing its inner mechanisms.
Since its landing in 2012, Curiosity has traveled over 20 miles across Mars' rugged Gale Crater, enduring harsh terrain that has contributed to wheel wear.
The rover's wheel damage was first noticed in 2013, prompting NASA to adjust its route and update its software to minimize further wear.
Despite the damage, Curiosity remains operational, continuing its mission to explore Mars and search for signs of past habitability.
Lessons from Curiosity's wheel damage have informed the design improvements of the wheels on NASA's Perseverance rover.