Do you wonder just what NASA was thinking when they sent their Curiosity rover into space held together by zip ties? It was a pretty smart choice, actually.
The photo, courtesy of NASA and shared by Science Alert, shows cable ties securing equipment on the rover.
Some people have been up-in-arms about it, thinking the photo was fabricated. They couldn't possibly believe NASA would use something as basic as zip ties for their 2.5 billion dollar toy.
On the flip side, many commenters found it hilarious:
But let's be honest: it's been almost 9 years since Curiosity rover landed on Mars (August 6, 2012). That says a lot about the zip ties which have withstood the 350 million mile journey, the perilous fall to the planet, and 9 years exposed to Mars' harsh conditions and Ultra Violet exposure.
While Curiosity's wheels, made of flight-grade aluminum, appear to be broken – the zip ties look just fine.
Benefits of Zip Ties
Zip ties, also called cable ties, are extremely strong and versatile and used in a wide range of applications, from:
- Construction
- Plumbing
- Electric
- Bundling cables together
- Securing wires to poles
…and more.
Electricians favor zip ties for their durability and cost-effectiveness. They are UL 94 Rated for Safety of Flammability of Plastic Materials, for indoor and outdoor use.
Nylon cable ties are fuel and chemical resistant, and can withstand prolonged exposure to extreme heat and cold.
The cables have high tensile strength and are self-locking to secure anything you need without moving.
They are also weather and UV resistant and can last for many years outdoors.
Which is why NASA used them on their rovers.
Zip Ties are Nothing to Sneeze At
It has been verified that NASA used high-performance zip ties made of Tefzel ETFE (ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene) resins, a material known for its excellent toughness and performance under extreme temperatures.
While we recognize that S&F zip ties would not outperform these in space, we encourage you people who do not plan on installing zip ties in space to take advantage of and shop our selection of cable ties here.
We may not be going to space anytime soon, but we sure do have the best selection of sign and awning supplies around.
Final Thoughts
No rovers were harmed in the making of this article.
If you enjoyed it, shop our selection of zip ties and more on SFsupplies.com.
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