How NASA Reinvented The Wheel

NASA has indeed reinvented the wheel, quite literally, for its Mars rovers. The wheels on rovers like Curiosity and Perseverance are a unique design. They are not traditional rubber tires but are instead made of a series of flexible metal spokes or "fingers" known as "flexure bearings" connected to a central hub. These wheels are called "Rocker-Bogie" suspension systems.

The reason for this design is to deal with the challenging terrain on Mars. The thin Martian atmosphere means that traditional rubber tires wouldn't provide enough traction, and they could easily puncture or wear out. The rocker-bogie system allows the rover to traverse uneven and rocky terrain while minimizing damage and maintaining stability.

So, in essence, NASA reinvented the wheel to adapt it for the harsh and unpredictable conditions of the Martian surface, and this innovation has been crucial to the success of their rover missions.