rewrite this title Repair from Millions of Kilometers Away: How NASA Keeps the Mars Rovers Alive

NASA’s Curiosity rover on the surface of Mars is not only collecting data; it continues to evolve and advance its mission by receiving software updates from millions of kilometers away. So, how are these updates performed, and what kind of problems do they solve?

For years, NASA has been conducting different missions to unlock the secrets of Mars. One of the most critical parts of these missions is the robotic rovers actively operating on the surface. These robots don’t just collect images; they examine the surface, take samples, create digital maps, and contribute to scientists’ better understanding of the Red Planet.

However, these vehicles continue to evolve even after being launched into space. These robots operating on Mars, thousands of kilometers away, receive software updates just like a smartphone. Moreover, these updates don’t just add new features; they also provide creative solutions to technical problems that arise.

Launched in 2011 and successfully landed in Mars’s Gale Crater in 2012, Curiosity is one of the longest-operating NASA rovers on the Martian surface to date. Its primary goal was to investigate whether Mars had supported microbial life in the past. But over the years, it has gone far beyond this goal. Examining different regions like Mount Sharp, Vera Rubin Ridge, and the Naukluft Plateau, the vehicle has both sent back scientific data and captivated the world with the photos it captured from the Martian surface.

However, this long mission duration has brought challenges. Over the years, Curiosity’s software and hardware have had to be supported with various updates and interventions.

Is It Possible to Send Software Updates to Mars?

It may sound incredible, but NASA periodically updates Curiosity’s software. Just like the updates that come to phones or computers, these vehicles gain new features or have certain bugs fixed. Of course, this process is much more complex and long-term. Teams at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in California subject the updates to extensive testing on Earth first. Some software improvements involve months, or even years, of trials.

A great example of this process occurred in 2017. The challenging terrain conditions on Mars were causing wear and tear on Curiosity’s wheels. To prevent this, JPL engineers worked for about 18 months to develop an algorithm that gave the vehicle the ability to drive more carefully. This software was successfully uploaded to Curiosity, millions of kilometers away, in March 2017.

In early 2023, a much more comprehensive update was made. Thanks to this software package, which included a total of 180 different changes, Curiosity can analyze its surroundings faster while driving. The robot, which previously had to stop and scan its environment before making a decision, can now process data and move within a few seconds. This allows it to explore more area while consuming less energy.

Creativity Comes into Play with Hardware Failures

It is, of course, impossible to physically intervene with a rover on the surface of Mars. This means that when a mechanical failure occurs, engineers on Earth have to find much more creative solutions. Curiosity is a striking example of this again.

In late 2016, the vehicle’s drill system, used for collecting samples, broke down. Under normal circumstances, this was a serious problem that could halt essential data collection. However, JPL engineers developed a new drilling method using the existing equipment. They enabled Curiosity to continue its drilling function by using the robotic arm in a different way. Crucially, this solution was executed with a series of commands sent to the Martian surface.

Thanks to software updates and creative engineering solutions, Curiosity is still actively working on Mars today. The data it obtains is of great importance both for searching for traces of past life and for paving the way for future crewed Mars missions.

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