NASA’s Curiosity Just Revealed A Surprising Close-Up Of Its Cracked Wheel Defying Mars’ Harsh Terrain

For more than a decade, NASA’s Curiosity rover has traveled across the unforgiving landscape of Mars, collecting evidence that has transformed scientists’ understanding of the Red Planet. The aluminum wheels have endured thousands of drives across terrain far rougher than engineers originally expected before launch in 2011. Images of NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover’s wheels, taken by the rover on July 23, 2026, or Sol 4963 of its mission. NASA Continues to Monitor Every Detail of the Rover’s HealthAccording to NASA, routine imaging of the rover’s wheels is an important part of long-term health monitoring. A Single Wheel Tells the Larger Story of Mars ExplorationThe latest close-up is more than a striking photograph of damaged hardware.