At 2.8 meters long, the nuclear Mars rover called Curiosity is twice as long and four times as heavy as its Spirit and Opportunity predecessors, NASA says. Each of Curiosity’s six wheels has an independent drive motor. The two front and two rear wheels have individual steering motors that allow the rover to make 360 degree turns in place; it also has increased mobility with wheels that are double the wheel diameter on Spirit and Opportunity. That gives Curiosity the ability to more easily climb and roll over high terrain. The nuclear power system on board will enable Curiosity to operate year round and travel farther from the Martian equator than is possible with solar powered rovers. |
