Water ice in the shallow subsurface has been discovered in plentiful supply at the poles. The freezing temperature levels and the minimal solar light make polar areas a hostile environment for human expedition. The areas from equatorial to mid latitudes are a lot more congenial for both human beings and robotic rovers, but only deeper reservoirs of water ice have been detected to date, and these are difficult to reach.
To make it through on Mars, astronauts would require to count on resources currently available in-situ, as sending routine products throughout the 55 million kilometres in between Earth and Mars at their closest point is not an alternative. As liquid water is not readily available in the cold and dry Martian environment, ice is an essential resource. Water will not just be necessary for life-support of the explorers, or the growth of plants and food, but could also be broken down into oxygen and hydrogen for usage as rocket fuel.
Two other areas are rich in hydrogen: Tharsis Montes and the Medusae Fossae Formation. Nevertheless, these do not display seasonal variations and seem the less accessible forms of water.
” Definitely, those regions too are intriguing for future objectives,” included Martínez. “What we plan to do now for them or Hellas Planitia and Utopia Rupes, is to study their mineralogy with other instruments in the hope of spotting kinds of rock modified by water. Such areas would be perfect prospects for robotic missions, including sample return ones, as the components for rocket fuel would be offered there too.”
Recommendation: “Looking for Non-Polar Shallow Subsurface Water Ice in Preparation for Future Human Exploration of Mars” by German Martinez, Antonio Segura, Michael D. Smith, Erik Fischer and Nilton O. Renno, September 2021, European Planetary Science Congress 2021. DOI: 10.5194/ epsc2021-443.
Global map of Mars with overlaid topography showing locations with considerable seasonal variations in hydrogen content throughout northern spring (top) and fall (bottom). Martínez, of the Lunar and Planetary Institute, stated: “Data from Mars Odysseys Neutron Spectrometer showed signs of hydrogen below the surface area Mars from mid to equatorial latitudes, but we still had the obstacle of working out whether this is in the kind of water ice, which can easily be used as a resource, or locked away in mineral salts or in soil grains and minerals. As the coldest ground temperature levels occur at the exact same time as the biggest observed increase in hydrogen content, it suggests that water ice is forming in the shallow subsurface of these areas during the fall and winter seasons, and then sublimating into gas throughout the warm season of each hemisphere.”
This artists principle illustrates astronauts and human habitats on Mars. Credit: NASA
A global group of scientists has actually used seasonal variations to recognize most likely sub-surface deposits of water ice in the temperate areas of Mars where it would be most convenient for future human explorers to survive. The outcomes are being presented this week by Dr. Germán Martínez at the European Planetary Science Conference (EPSC) 2021.
Using data from NASAs Mars Odyssey, which has actually spent nearly 20 years orbiting the Red Planet, Martínez and his coworkers have determined two areas of particular interest: Hellas Planitia and Utopia Rupes, respectively in the southern and northern hemisphere. Seasonal variations in levels of hydrogen found recommends that significant quantities water ice can be found in the meter approximately listed below the surface area in these regions.
Worldwide map of Mars with overlaid topography showing locations with significant seasonal variations in hydrogen content during northern spring (top) and fall (bottom). Green (red) represents boost (decline) in hydrogen content. The areas highlighted in orange are Hellas Planitia in the southern hemisphere, and Utopia Rupes in the northern hemisphere. These are the only prolonged regions going through a substantial variation throughout the Martian year. Credit: G. Martínez.
Martínez, of the Lunar and Planetary Institute, said: “Data from Mars Odysseys Neutron Spectrometer showed indications of hydrogen underneath the surface Mars from mid to equatorial latitudes, but we still had the difficulty of exercising whether this is in the type of water ice, which can easily be used as a resource, or locked away in mineral salts or in soil grains and minerals. This is where the seasonal variation supplies a crucial hint. As the coldest ground temperatures occur at the same time as the biggest observed increase in hydrogen content, it suggests that water ice is forming in the shallow subsurface of these regions during the fall and winter, and then sublimating into gas during the warm season of each hemisphere.”
The areas from equatorial to mid latitudes are much more hospitable for both people and robotic rovers, but only deeper tanks of water ice have been found to date, and these are difficult to reach.
To endure on Mars, astronauts would require to rely on resources currently offered in-situ, as sending regular products throughout the 55 million kilometres between Earth and Mars at their closest point is not an alternative.
