Mars has buried treasure in the form of water ice

[Shawn Knight]

Why it matters: NASA is keen on returning astronauts to the Moon within the next five years, a project it sees as a stepping stone in eventually getting humans to Mars. Even with the logistics of long-distance space travel worked out, scientists will need to carefully consider where they want to land on Mars as this could be the difference between a mission’s success and failure.

For a manned mission to Mars to have any chance of long-term success, astronauts will need to be able to harvest some of the planet’s natural resources – namely, water in the form of ice. NASA, through data from its Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) and Mars Odyssey orbiter, has discovered that water ice is present in some regions as little as an inch below the surface.

“You wouldn't need a backhoe to dig up this ice. You could use a shovel,” said Sylvain Piqueux of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.

Such reserves could be invaluable when repurposed as drinking water and to make rocket fuel. Other aspects of life on Mars could also put this critical resource to good use.

(Cool colors are closer to the surface than warm colors; black zones indicate areas where a spacecraft would sink into fine dust; the outlined box represents the ideal region to send astronauts.)

Key concerns that scientists will need to further study before a potential mission include the concentration of ice at various locations, the depth at which the ice is located, the density of the atmosphere in a particular region and the hardness of the ground below (you don’t want the spacecraft to sink in the dirt).

Fortunately, there’s still plenty of time for analysis as it’ll likely be another couple of decades at the soonest before humans are ready to attempt the journey.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/83158-mars-has-buried-treasure-form-water-ice.html

 

[DukeJukem]

Just quit ruining this planet so we don't have to worry about inhabiting another one and eventually ruining it too.

 

[VitalyT]

Somebody's in the hurry to close down this toilet. Well, this is how we've been treating it so far.

 

[Capaill]

But what happens when we wake up the Decepticon sleeping under the ice? Nobody thinks of these things.

 

[Rayneofpayne]

But is it lemon flavored?

 

[captaincranky]

What's the big deal? Once we finish melting the polar caps, we'll have plenty of water right here at home.....(wait for it)...... and probably in our homes as well

 

[Mr Majestyk]

Just quit ruining this planet so we don't have to worry about inhabiting another one and eventually ruining it too.

Beat me to it, read the Mars trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson for a look at what will happen once we colonise Mars.

 

[RobJoy]

If only they would value/treasure water here on earth as they do on other planets.
Instead of those millions/billions spent there, please invest into local policies regarding fresh water sources and kick Nestle in the ***.
Such hypocrites.
I get it that it is important for possible future manned missions on Mars, but come on, there is water here on earth, being polluted as a matter of course. Right under your hypocrite noses.

 

[Dosahka]

But what happens when we wake up the Decepticon sleeping under the ice? Nobody thinks of these things.

more like disease we have never seen...but Decepticons would be cool.

Beat me to it, read the Mars trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson for a look at what will happen once we colonise Mars.

Good thing is, if they born on Mars they probably can't set afoot (unless there is a medication process like one in 'The Expanse') on Earth simply bc of the gravity difference.