Eclipse goes to Mars

admin • June 30, 2010
Eclipse goes to Mars

When Spirit and Opportunity descended to the Martian surface, seals from Eclipse Engineering were on board. One set of seals protects the asmith drive assembly from the very fine dust particulate found on the Martian surface. These seals allow the camera mast to rotate 360 degrees.

A second set of seals is located on the pivot point just below the camera to allow the camera to pivot up and down on the horizon. These seals also protect the drive mechanism from the Martian dust.

In the image above, one set of seals is located below a hexagonal box which contains the asmith drive assembly. The second set is located just below the twin camera mount.

3D rendering of a black rubber quad-ring seal with a round top and grooved base, shown in cross-sect
By Doug Montgomery December 14, 2025
Explore how buffer ring design evolved through innovation in materials, engineering, and performance — and how Eclipse Engineering leads in custom sealing solutions.
Cross-sectional rendering of a hydraulic or pneumatic seal assembly showing a black O-ring seated on
By Doug Montgomery November 16, 2025
Explore the history and evolution of buffer rings in hydraulic systems. Learn how PTFE revolutionized seal design, performance, and reliability.
By Doug Montgomery September 26, 2025
Discover why surface finish is critical to polymer seal performance. Learn best practices, treatments, and cost–benefit insights for reliable sealing.
Close-up photo of two white O-rings placed on a white background.
By Doug Montgomery September 23, 2025
Learn about PTFE’s advantages and disadvantages, including its properties, performance limits, and when PTFE O-rings are the best sealing solution.