NASA’s Perseverance Rover on Mars has a rocky ride in one of its wheels

This story is part of Welcome to Marsour series exploring the red planet.

If you’ve ever stuck a pebble in your shoe, you’ll sympathize with NASA’s persistent rover. The rolling Mars explorer picked up a boulder in one of his wheels, and it remained stuck for some time. The boulder is not a rock, but it is not a small pebble either.

Space lovers note the rock. The audience’s voice Snapshot from February 25 As a “photo of the week” to persevere for the past week. The Latest offer for travelers From 2 March.

NASA publishes RAW RAW PHOTOS on a rolling basis. Looking back through the archives, I found the rocks featured in the hazard avoidance camera photos in the car at least As far back as February 6although I have not conducted a comprehensive historical survey.

Since Perseverance seems to have adopted a pet rock, I reached out to NASA to see if anyone had nicknamed it yet. If not, I would suggestRocco“It would be a good idea.

The Six Perseverance wheels are made of aluminum, with cleats that give it traction over the Jezero Crater’s rough, rocky and dusty terrain. Each wheel measures 20.7 inches (52.5 cm) in diameter. The latest NASA-designed sport rover is updated compared to Curiosity’s oldest rover’s battered wheels But it still works after many years on the red planet.

The rock does not slow down the roll perseverance. The rover was hauling trucks across Mars, Setting new driving records Along the way. If anything, it’s a testament to the rugged design of the rover’s wheels. If I had a rock this big in my shoes, I wouldn’t go anywhere.