Nitinol Tires Go to Mars

NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland has developed a new tire for future Mars rovers.  It is made of a mesh of wires of Nitinol, a shape-memory alloy based on nickel-titanium that allows the tire to return to its original shape after undergoing deformation.

In the 1960s, mesh tires were woven from piano wire. The technology worked well, but the tires could hold only a limited amount of weight. The new nickel-titanium tires should last longer, allowing rovers to explore more rugged areas and carry heavier loads.