NASA's Curiosity Mars rover develops breaks in wheels

New Delhi: Scientists say that NASA's Curiosity Mars rover has developed small breaks in its aluminium wheels.

Experts have detected the latest signs of wear and tear as the robotic probe continues its journey across the red planet.

The mission's first and second breaks in raised treads, called grousers, appeared in a March 19 image check of the wheels, documenting that these breaks occurred after the last check on January 27.

"All six wheels have more than enough working lifespan remaining to get the vehicle to all destinations planned for the mission," said Curiosity Project Manager Jim Erickson at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in the US.

"While not unexpected, this damage is the first sign that the left middle wheel is nearing a wheel-wear milestone," said Erickson.

The monitoring of wheel damage on Curiosity, plus a programme of wheel-longevity testing on Earth, was initiated after dents and holes in the wheels were seen to be accumulating faster than anticipated in 2013.

Testing showed that at the point when three grousers on a wheel have broken, that wheel has reached about 60 per cent of its useful life.

Curiosity already has driven well over that fraction of the total distance needed for reaching the key regions of scientific interest on Mars' Mount Sharp.

(With Agency inputs)