Bizarre Structure of Mars Roving Tires Revealed Capable of Maneuvering on the Red Planet

On February 23rd, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the United States released a video captured from Mars. This footage was transmitted back to Earth by the Mars rover "Perseverance," which recently completed a six-month journey to successfully land on the Martian surface. Similar to regular vehicles, the "Perseverance" rover utilizes tires for mobility. However, these tires are unlike any ordinary ones; they are equipped with a unique design that prevents punctures or leaks and are specifically engineered for space exploration.

For over a decade, NASA's Glenn Research Center has been devoted to developing these tires. Heather Oravec, the project lead, explained that the structure of the "Mars car" tires is truly extraordinary. Their surface consists of a compressed spring mesh made from shape-memory alloys. The tires are flexible and capable of clinging tightly to obstacles by deforming upon impact. This innovative design enables the rover to navigate the challenges of Mars' rocky terrain, sand dunes, and rough soil. Additionally, these tires boast qualities of being lightweight, high-traction, and exceptionally durable. The "Perseverance" rover employs these spring tires to collect samples from Mars for return to Earth.

It is reported that the current Mars rover is equipped with six wheels. According to sources, future iterations of the rover will feature only four wheels. This modification places greater demands on the traction and load-bearing capacity of the tires. "However, this plan will take several more years to realize, and we are eagerly looking forward to it," commented a relevant official."