Rough Roving: Curiosity's Wheel Damage 'Accelerated' 157
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."
Re:Typical (Score:2, Informative)
Yep, just give it to the highest bidder for equally shitty work.
Actually, most of the rover was built in-house.
Re:Typical (Score:5, Informative)
The thinness of the rovers wheels isnt so much about saving money as it is about saving weight.
Every ounce the wheels dont weigh is another ounce for science equipment or batteries.
So im sure they made them absolutely as thin & lightweight as they thought they could get away with.
Re:Really? (Score:4, Informative)
In reply to the GGP, here's what I would suggest, and why:
(Note, I work in aerospace)
I would suggest a minimum wheel skin thickness of .08 inches (a little over 2mm, it's a standard sheetmetal thickness) made of structural aluminum alloy (say 2025, or 7075, whichever is most electrically compatible with the suspension, given the pesence of perchlorate in the environment. 7075 is probably the better bet between the two, but 6Al4V might be a good choice too.) With a very generous plating of titanium nitride.
To make up the weight, (which would amount to only about 100 grams on the high side, give or take) I would look at using smaller radii on the machined parts of the suspension, using lighter gauge insulation on low voltage data wires in the electrical system, and laternative solder formulations. Also, replacing components that don't experiences constant drive or levering forces with ones made of titanium. (Parts of the arm near the wrist, parts of the camera mast, parts of the outer skin, etc.)