Rough Roving: Curiosity's Wheel Damage 'Accelerated'

astroengine writes "Despite the assurances that the holes seen in Mars rover Curiosity's wheels were just a part of the mission, there seems to be increasing concern for the wheels' worsening condition after the one-ton robot rolled over some craggy terrain. In an upcoming drive, rover drivers will monitor the six wheels over some smooth terrain to assess their condition. "We want to take a full inventory of the condition of the wheels," said Jim Erickson, project manager for the NASA Mars Science Laboratory at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. 'Dents and holes were anticipated, but the amount of wear appears to have accelerated in the past month or so.' Although the wheels are designed to sustain significant damage without impairing driving activities, the monitoring of the situation is essential for future planning."

Comments

Please pray with me for Curiosity's wheels.

[Anonymous Coward]

Dear Lord, Father in Heaven, we pray together for the safekeeping of Rover Curiosity's wheels. Although it may be a tool of science, and its discoveries a complete threat to religious doctrine everywhere, she is but a rover on a mission of Peace and Goodness. In your ever forgiving heart, please bless her wheels with durability and robustness.

Amen.

Re:Sad.

[Trepidity]

Hey man we don't need none of yo science, we got Common Sense Internet Man here, who read 4 sentences on the topic and is gonna design him a better rover than all them eggheads!