The Mars Perseverance rover has a large rock stuck inside its wheels

The photo captured by the Mars Perseverance rover is the "Image of the Week" for Week 54 (February 20th - 26th, 2022) of the Perseverance mission.

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Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

The image was taken using the Front Left Hazard Avoidance Camera A aboard Perseverance, at 14:24:43 on February 25th, 2022, or Sol 362 of the Perseverance rover's mission on Mars. Perseverance periodically stops and surveys its surroundings with its Hazard Cameras, generating a 3D view to help the rover navigate without needing to consult the rover team on Earth constantly.

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The rock inside the wheel is still present as of March 7th, when the Front Left Hazard Avoidance Camera A captured a similar perspective. The rover has continued regular operation despite the rock, and it is likely to fall out of its own accord as the rover continues on its mission. Other rovers such as the MSL Curiosity have had rocks get stuck in their wheels, but they haven't had any significant detrimental effects.

"We don't exactly know how the rocks get in the wheels, but it's likely that they can hop in as the wheels (and heavy rover) break rocks and sink into the soil around loose rocks," said Ashwin Vasavada, Curiosity Project Scientist, in 2017.

You can view more images taken by the Mars Perseverance rover on NASA's website.