NASA reveals what 14 years of driving across Mars does to a vehicle

Q: How far has Curiosity driven on Mars and how long has it been operating?

Curiosity has driven just over 20 miles across Mars. Launched in 2012, it has been operating for about 14 years on the Red Planet.

Q: When did NASA first start monitoring Curiosity’s wheel damage and how often are wheel checks performed?

NASA engineers began monitoring Curiosity's wheel damage in 2013. The article states that wheel checks are now a routine part of operations but does not specify how often those checks are performed.

Q: What operational changes has NASA made to reduce further wheel wear on Curiosity?

NASA has rerouted Curiosity to avoid the most hazardous terrain and developed software to improve traction and reduce wheel wear. Engineers have also made wheel checks a routine part of rover operations.

Q: What software or traction improvements have been developed to address wheel wear?

NASA developed software to improve traction and reduce wheel wear, and engineers have rerouted Curiosity to avoid the most hazardous terrain. Engineers have been monitoring wheel damage since 2013, and wheel checks are now a routine part of operations.

NASA has released a new image showcasing what your tires would look like if you drove around on the surface of Mars for nearly 14 years.

VIEW GALLERY - 3

Jak Connor

Tech and Science Editor

Published Jul 30, 2026 12:50 AM CDT

1 minute & 15 seconds read time

TL;DR: Curiosity's 14 years on Mars and roughly 20 miles driven have left its wheels torn with holes and missing sections; engineers monitor damage, avoid hazardous terrain, and update software to preserve traction. NASA has extended the mission indefinitely and will keep operating Curiosity as it climbs Mount Sharp.

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Humans have been exploring the surface of the Red Planet for many years now, and one of the vehicles still on that mission has shared some images at the cost of that pursuit.

NASA reveals what 14 years of driving across Mars does to a vehicle 1 — 2024 (left) vs 2026 (right)

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Launched in 2012, Curiosity has traversed over just 20 miles of rocky, unforgiving terrain, and the cost of that exploration is now clearly visible on the rover's tires. Jagged holes in the wheels and entire missing parts suggest the rover could easily become immobilized if it encounters a particularly sharp obstacle that wedges itself in an unfavorable spot. Engineers have been monitoring the damage since 2013, with wheel checks now a routine part of operations.

The wheels of NASA's Curiosity rover are showing the scars of 14 years of relentless Martian travel, during which invaluable scientific data and testing have been gathered. Throughout its life on the Red Planet, NASA has rerouted the rover to avoid the most hazardous terrain and developed software to improve traction and reduce wear. What is good to know is that, given Curiosity's current state, NASA has indefinitely extended the rover's mission, indicating the space agency will simply run Curiosity until the wheels fall off.

Read more: NASA confirms discovery of Mars sample unlike any it has found before

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Question #1

How far has Curiosity driven on Mars and how long has it been operating?

Question #2

When did NASA first start monitoring Curiosity’s wheel damage and how often are wheel checks performed?

Question #3

What operational changes has NASA made to reduce further wheel wear on Curiosity?

Question #4

What software or traction improvements have been developed to address wheel wear?

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Curiosity will continue on its journey up Mount Sharp, located at the center of the Gale Crater. Additionally, if NASA lost contact with Curiosity tomorrow, the rover has already provided enough scientific data and evidence over the course of its lifetime on Mars to justify its cost, making every new discovery made from here on out just that little extra bit better.