Eyes on Curiosity rover's driving

Here, engineers test out Curiosity's driving ability over varied terrain, observing the rover's Rocker-Bogie suspension system as it drives over uneven ground during tests at JPL, according to NASA.

Each of Curiosity's six wheels has an independent drive motor. The two front and two rear wheels have individual steering motors that allow the rover to make 360-degree turns in place; it also has increased mobility with wheels that are double the wheel diameter on Spirit and Opportunity. That gives Curiosity the ability to more easily climb and roll over high terrain.

The nuclear power system on board will enable Curiosity to operate year-round and travel farther from the Martian equator than is possible with solar-powered rovers.