[X] My Assistant

[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.

[djellison]

It also costs an order of magnitude more than printing a plastic one.