Hot wheels on Mars

When technology is combined with the imagination of the human mind, an elaborate work of art is created. NASA’s Curiosity Rover is evidence of the extent to which human creativity can reach; it is a well-tuned machine working in perfect unison with every bolt, screw, and wire to create something greater than its individual components, which figuratively winds its own springs. However, every great innovation must start at its foundation.

The Mars Rover started with its wheels. The rover is rigged with six 50 cm aluminum wheels; each one with its own motor. Furthermore, the rover is able to turn itself 360 degrees due to the additional steering motors on the front and rear wheels. Each of the rover’s wheels is also equipped with cleats, providing

traction in the rough terrain. The wheels move throughout the Martian terrain using a “rockerbogie”

suspension system, which has been previously used on earlier Mars Exploration Rover missions. This design allows the rover to endure a 45 degree tilt in any direction without overturning!

However, while the Rover can withstand a 45 degree tilt, it is programmed to avoid any

angles above 30 degrees. The Rover also has a top speed of 4 cm/s. This is presumably to avoid

any dangerous collisions or situations. Also, there is no need for the speed as there is no one

to race in Mars thus far. So, coupled with its engineering and programming, the Rover is

designed to traverse the terrain efficiently and safely.

           

           

Engineering Team: Mario Lopez, Stanley Crespin, Jose De Vera 

“The Truth is in the Sand”

     On June 30^th 2016, while the Mar’s Rover was roaming around the planet, it stumbled upon curvy sand ripples that have never been found anywhere else. The ripples were not just on Mars for decoration; they provided some interesting facts about the planet’s early life. The sand dunes on Mars provided us with tangible evidence that the planet lost most of its atmospheric layers early in its existence. But how does this relate to biological systems you may ask?

     The sand dunes and ripples on Mars are also found on Earth. However, there are multiple differences between the characteristics of the sand ripples found on Mars and on Earth. The sand ripples found on Earth are less than a foot apart while the sand ripples found on Mars are about 10 feet apart. The ripples on Earth are formed by sand grains, which collide with other sand grains due to the wind. But, the larger sand ripples found on Mars are made by the wind dragging the sand particles. This mechanism is the same way water drags sand on Earth. In addition, smaller sand ripples lie under the larger ripples. These smaller sand ripples are much like the ripples found on Earth. The distinction of the sand ripples is due to a smaller density in Mar’s present atmosphere. In conclusion to these differences, researchers believe that the atmosphere on Mars was thicker in the past causing the smaller sand ripples. This thicker atmosphere can lead to an investigation whether there was life on Mars during the beginning of its existence.

Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS

Sources: http://www.nasa.gov/feature/jpl/nasa-rovers-sand-dune-studies-yield-surprise

Biology Group: Charles Rivero, Valentina Gamboa, Sabrina Lima.