Mars 2020 Wheel Design, Improving on MSL Options

[anticitizen2]

I was very interested when an MSL flight spare wheel appeared in a sandbox in our High Bay a few months ago.

(Note: this is a 3D printed copy after they were done with the real thing,
to see if they performed the same in order to make testing many iterations easier)

Those on the project have been finishing the setup of the testing system, which will measure the forces on the wheel as it turns and is pulled forward through the loose Mars-sand-analogue, simulating desired slip amounts.

They did many runs with the flight spare to get a baseline, and are moving on to different shapes and grouser layouts sent to them by JPL.
Of course 2020's wheels needs better flotation, traction, and durability. One option is to have a narrower, thicker wheel to keep the same mass.


I'm interested to see what other options are shipped to us.

[Burmese]

Since the Rover 2020 design just passed review, are there any more concrete details available on the final wheel design, or is that something that can still be very much in flux at this stage even under review? I would imagine the review team paid particular attention to that aspect of the presentation.