NASA returns to spring manufacturer for second Mars rover programme
Components manufactured by John Evans' Sons, part of the global Lesjöfors network, are currently operating on both of NASA's active Mars rovers following two successful collaborations with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).
The company’s constant force springs were first used on Curiosity, which landed on Mars in 2012, before being selected again for NASA’s Perseverance rover. More than a decade later, both rovers remain operational, with springs manufactured by John Evans' Sons continuing to support NASA's exploration of Mars.
Years in development
John Evans' Sons joined the Perseverance programme in 2018, almost two years before launch, working alongside NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) through design refinement, material selection, qualification testing and manufacture.
As NASA built Perseverance on the proven architecture and successful heritage components of Curiosity, JPL once again selected John Evans’ Sons to design and manufacture the constant force springs used within the Perseverance rover's rocker-bogie suspension system.
When Perseverance launched in July 2020, it began a seven-month, nearly 250-million-mile journey to Mars, where the springs continue to help the suspension maintain stability as the rover negotiates rocks, steep slopes and uneven terrain.
Built on trust
David Devoe, CEO of John Evans' Sons and VP of Lesjofors Business Region North America, said: "For a business that's been manufacturing springs since 1850, it's remarkable to think our products are now operating on Mars. Supporting the Curiosity programme was a proud moment for everyone at John Evans' Sons, so when NASA's JPL returned to us for Perseverance, it meant even more. It reflected the confidence built over many years in our engineering, our manufacturing and, most importantly, our people.
Space missions leave no room for compromise. Every component has to perform exactly as intended because there is no opportunity for maintenance or repair once the mission begins. Knowing our springs continue to support both Curiosity and Perseverance as they explore Mars is something the whole team is incredibly proud of. For a company with our history, it's a powerful reminder that generations of manufacturing knowledge are perfectly positioned to meet the engineering challenges of tomorrow and support missions that continue to expand our understanding of the world beyond our own."
The NASA programme reflects the breadth of engineering projects supported across the Lesjöfors network, demonstrating the capability available to support customers whose products operate in some of the world's most demanding environments.
The full engineering story behind the Mars rover programme, including the development of the constant force springs and the collaboration with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, can be found in the Mars rover technical case study on the Lesjöfors website.
Read the Mars rover technical case study: Spacecraft Landing Gear: Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover | Lesjöfors
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*Picture caption: NASA's Perseverance rover, which continues to explore Jezero Crater on Mars, incorporates constant force springs manufactured by John Evans' Sons, part of the global Lesjöfors network.
Tamsin Loveless | Marketing Communications Lead
tamsin.loveless@beijercomponents.com
Lesjöfors is a leading global manufacturer, offering one of the industry’s widest ranges of springs and pressings. The company ranks among the world’s largest and most established spring producers.
Lesjöfors is part of Beijer Components, a group of specialized industrial component companies and one of two subsidiaries within Beijer Alma AB. Beijer Alma is an international industrial group, with some 70 companies, focused on industrial components, technical solutions and niche products, and is listed on the NASDAQ Stockholm Large Cap list.