this post was submitted on 28 Jan 2024
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Ah yes, the Curiosity rover was famous for its short travel distances and lifespan.
It's a fair point. Curiosity has "only" travelled about 20 miles over its 12 year life so far. And while it weighs some 900 kilos, Martian gravity is only 38% that of Earth.
Obviously it's absurd to compare the wear and tear on something rumbling around the Martian tundra cut off from any support or maintenance for a decade, but it is a very different use case to your average Earthly car or lorry. What lasts a decade going at 0.1mph for 20 miles in an alien desert is not necessarily going to last a week going at 70mph down an asphalt highway.
Hell, I've walked that in a day, it's really not far at all.
Some people drive that to get to work.
So maybe lose the smug, condescending attitude?