In 2012, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) launched Curiosity, a Mars Science Laboratory rover that has now turned 13 years old. Since its skycrane landing in August, the rover has driven nearly 37 km, drilled 42 rocks, and taken 763,000 images. JPL’s engineers keep the vehicle operational with frequent software updates.

Engineers rely on the rover’s RAD 750 processor, shared with Perseverance, to run mission software. Perseverance added a second processor for visual odometry, giving it autonomous driving edge. When Curiosity’s primary computer suffered a NAND anomaly, the team swapped to the secondary unit, then creatively repurposed 64 MB of flight‑software memory as a spare file system—an operation dubbed R‑Hope.

Power dwindles as the RTG output ages, compelling JPL to cut computer on‑time and explore parallel tasks like arm movement during communication. Wheel wear from sharp Martian rocks also limits mobility; the team now drives backward to preserve front wheels. Despite these constraints, Curiosity continues to collect data, proving durable hardware and adaptive software design.

Lessons from Curiosity shape future missions. Engineers emphasize early operator involvement to define power‑budget needs and data goals. The experience confirms that robust hardware, coupled with flexible software patching, can extend a rover’s life beyond expectations. At present, Curiosity remains a workhorse, delivering science without compromising its remaining lifespan.