ROVER WHEELS: Monitoring changes over time, NOTE: Read back through the thread to avoid repeating misconceptions Options

[DeanM]

[MOD NOTE: This thread follows on a post by Ed Truthan containing a MAHLI mosaic of MSL wheels taken on sol 275.]

Ed: zooming in on that marvellous underbelly MAHLI montage, there appears to be further (and previously noted) deformation of the wheel surfaces.

Damage is most evident in the view of the front-left wheel inner surface.

Such wear has previously been discussed and concerns allayed.

Nevertheless, the front left wheel surface *appears* to have been punctured.



We've only done 700 meters, and have 7000 more to get to Mt Sharp.....

Given that more odometry has now accumulated, is any (re-)new(ed) concern valid?

DeanM

[fredk]

the front left wheel surface *appears* to have been punctured.

We've also discussed this before. I still see no clear sign of puncture. The dents may be reflecting bits of bright sky which makes it look like there are punctures.

About reasurrances, it would be interesting to hear from someone who knows something about the engineering of the wheels. Does the thin skin covering the circumference of the wheels, which is dented, actually provide significant structural strength to the wheels?

Or does the skin just prevent sand and dust from getting into the wheel mechanisms inside, and the raised, narrow, treads are actually providing the main structural strength? In this case the skin could be severely punctured and torn and we could still drive.

Edit: scooped by Joe, and thanks mcaplinger for the details.