Bearings On Mars Curiosity

The bearings were designed and developed by The Barden Corporation, Schaeffler’s super precision bearing specialist located in Connecticut, USA.

Barden bearings are located in many positions aboard Curiosity – several of which are positioned in the turret, on the drill bit assembly and in the vibration motor, an integral part of the CHIMRA tool (Collection and Handling for In-situ Martian Rock Analysis).

The most important considerations when selecting the bearings suppliers were compact design, lowest possible mass, low friction and rapid delivery. The bearings on the drill bit assembly are angular contact (15-degree contact angle) bearings manufactured to ABEC 7 standards, with SAE 52100 steel rings and balls and Phenolic ball retainers.