Mars Exploration Rover Mission: Technology


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In-situ Exploration and Sample Return: Autonomous Planetary Mobility

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This image features one of the Mars Exploration Rover wheels. They measure approximately 26 centimeters (a little over ten inches) and are aluminum with a black anodized coating on the paddlewheel-like driving surface. This up-close photo shows the spiral flectures which act as shock absorbers. The flectures radiate from the center of the wheel and resemble the rims on Earth-bound cars. Orange Solimide fills the flectures, preventing rocks and debris from interfering with the driving and steering actuators

The wheels on Spirit and Opportunity are 26 centimeters in diameter (a little over ten inches) and made of aluminum. This up-close photo shows the spiral flectures which act as shock absorbers and the orange Solimide that fills the flectures, preventing rocks and debris from interfering with the driving and steering actuators.