Posted to News on 25th Oct 2012, 00:00
Timken supplies bearings for Curiosity rover's carousel system
The Curiosity rover will analyse dozens of samples scooped from the soil and cored from rocks as it explores with greater range than the previous Mars rovers. Instruments onboard Curiosity include a spectrum analyser that requires advanced motion control and a miniature pump - both will be involved in the process of collecting and analysing specimens.
>The centre hub of Curiosity's carousel system rotates on Timken bearings, positioning sample cups. In addition, the vacuum pump, the size of a 'D' cell battery, supporting the analytical equipment utilises two miniature Timken bearings with an outer diameter of 0.2500in.
