Why Did NASA Mars Curiosity Rover Back Out Of ‘Gator-Back’ Terrain? Jet Propulsion Laboratory Explains Threat

Jet Propulsion Laboratory said NASA's Mars Curiosity Rover has had to reroute away from wind-sharpened rocks to continue up Mount Sharp.

The "Greenheugh Pediment," a mild slope crowned with rubbly sandstone, was climbed by NASA's Curiosity Mars rover.

However, on March 18, the mission team saw an unexpected terrain shift ahead.

JPL (per ECNS) recognized they would have to move the rover away from its route, carpeted with more wind-sharpened rocks some dubbed as "gator-back" terrain because it could damage the rover's wheels. The gator-back terrain was the most challenging trail the rover had ever encountered in its almost 10 years on Mars.

Ventifacts Destroys NASA Curiosity Rover's Wheels

According to the official report from NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab, the ventifacts were able to damage the rover's wheels during the excursion.

To address the wear and tear caused by the pebbles, the scientists devised a traction control algorithm that reduced the wheel's speed. They realized it wasn't enough, so they opted to return the rover to safety.

That's the most difficult form of ventifact the crew has met on Mars so far. That's also the toughest challenge Curiosity has faced on its trip to Mars.

About Greenheugh Pediment

Jet Propulsion Laboratory said in another report that the "Greenheugh Pediment," a large, sloping plain in Mount Sharp's slopes, is made mostly of these rocks. Along the margins of the mosaic, the Gale Crater floor may be seen.

Curiosity's crew eventually opted to spin the rover around and follow a different course to continue climbing Mount Sharp, a 3.4-mile-tall (5.5-kilometer-tall) mountain Curiosity has been ascending since 2014.

Curiosity can investigate distinct sedimentary strata sculpted by water billions of years ago as it climbs. Scientists may use these layers to determine if tiny life might have persisted in the old Martian environment.

JPL Team Finds Safer Route For Curiosity Rover

According to Phys.org, the Curiosity rover is likely to follow the same path from the pediment it has already examined.

On this path, it will go between a region rich in clay and another terrain rich in minerals, notably sulfates.

Curiosity's deputy project scientist Abigail Freeman said it's fascinating to witness the rock formation change dramatically over time.

NASA will err on caution to avoid damaging the rover's wheels with knife-like rocks.

Hence, the space agency said the rover took a different course up Mount Sharp to avoid the dangerous parts.

Separately, the Ingenuity helicopter crew of the space agency will be looking forward to their next space mission.

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