February 26, 2026
Red Planet, Blue Zip Ties
Even the Mars Rover Uses Zip Ties (2021)
NASA’s $2.4B Mars rover uses zip ties — commenters lose it, DIYers say “same”
TLDR: NASA’s Mars rover really uses zip ties—high-grade, radiation-resistant plastic ones you can buy in bulk—and the internet freaked out. Engineers praised the no-nonsense choice, skeptics yelled “fake,” and DIYers joked about duct tape while debating cheap-looking vs. smart, Ty-Rap-only practicality.
Yes, those are zip ties on NASA’s Perseverance rover, and the internet is absolutely living for it. After the $2.4 billion robot touched down on Mars, eagle-eyed fans spotted the aquamarine bands and the thread erupted. Some Facebook skeptics cried “fake,” but engineers and ABB (the maker) chimed in to confirm: they’re legit Ty-Rap ties made from Tefzel ETFE, a tough, radiation-resistant plastic you can actually buy in bulk. Cue the biggest vibe of the thread: peak engineering pragmatism. As one commenter put it, why build a gold-plated fastener when a $0.30 loop of plastic survives space? You can even pan around and spot them yourself in NASA’s 360 video here.
The jokes flew faster than a rover wheel. “What about Jesus Tape?” cackled one user, summoning the mythical power of duct tape. A DIY hero declared that daisy-chaining cable ties felt like discovering a new law of physics. Real space folks stepped in too: one commenter casually dropped they’ve put “tens of zip ties on a Mars lander,” while hobbyists praised Ty-Rap for being lighter than steel in drones. The only real dispute? Whether this is gloriously practical or awkwardly cheap-looking. The clapback: these aren’t your flimsy garage ties—ETFE can shrug off heat, cold, and radiation. Verdict from the crowd: If it’s good enough for Mars, it’s good enough for my car—just make sure it’s Ty-Rap, not the bargain bin.
Key Points
- •Perseverance uses ABB’s Ty-Rap cable ties made from Tefzel ETFE to secure wires and equipment.
- •High-resolution images and a 360-degree video show multiple cable ties installed on the rover.
- •Ty-Rap ETFE ties withstand 2,000 times more radiation than nylon and tolerate extreme heat.
- •The ties are off-the-shelf components; a 100-pack can be purchased for under $30 at Home Depot.
- •ABB has supplied cable ties for NASA missions since 1973, including Curiosity, Spirit, and Opportunity.