T' wheels and suspension system have been installed on NASA's next Mars rover, me bucko, Curiosity, me hearties, a key step in assembly and testin' o' t' flight system for t' Mars Science Laboratory mission slated t' launch next year. Ya scallywag! T' centerpiece o' MSL, matey, Curiosity has six wheels and a rocker-bogie suspension system like its smaller predecessors: Spirit, Opportunity and Sojourner. Each wheel has its own drive motor and t' corner wheels also have independent steerin' motors. Unlike earlier Mars rovers, Curiosity will also use its mobility system as landin' gear when t' mission's rocket-powered descent stage lowers t' rover directly onto t' Martian surface on a tether in August 2012.