Underground reservoirs may hold the key to Mars exploration
Is there water on Mars? The latest research suggests the existence of a potential water reservoir beneath the surface of the Red Planet.
Recent studies indicate that Mars may be rich in water. Scientists hypothesize that deep beneath the surface, there could be massive water reservoirs. According to Science Alert, data from NASA's InSight mission has revealed that seismic waves slow down in a layer located 5 to 8 kilometres below the surface. This may indicate the presence of liquid water at these depths.
Mars was rich in water
Mars wasn't always a dry desert. Billions of years ago, during the Noachian and Hesperian periods, rivers and lakes were common. A hydrological catastrophe was caused by changes in the planet's magnetic field and the thinning of its atmosphere. Water became trapped in minerals, some froze, and some evaporated, resulting in the current appearance and conditions on the Red Planet.
According to Science Alert, data from the InSight lander has allowed scientists to identify an anomaly beneath the surface of Mars. The layer between 5 and 8 kilometres deep, where seismic waves move more slowly, could be porous rock saturated with water. This discovery suggests that Mars might have underground water reservoirs similar to those on Earth.
The InSight lander provides answers
The InSight lander was sent to Mars by NASA in 2018 to, for the first time in history, detail the interior of the Red Planet. Thanks to advanced scientific instruments, such as the SEIS seismometer and the HP³ heat flow probe, the mission allowed scientists to peer beneath Mars's surface and better understand its structure – from its thin crust to its core. InSight detected numerous seismic tremors, confirming that Mars is a geologically active planet. While not all instruments functioned as planned, the mission provided unprecedented data that has changed our perspective on the evolution of rocky planets in the Solar System.
Water is crucial for future missions
The discovery of underground water reservoirs on Mars could play a crucial role in potential colonization scenarios and impact the future of space missions. Reservoirs rich in water could supply drinkable water to future expeditions. Water reservoirs could also be useful for obtaining oxygen and rocket fuel supply. Extracting water from such depths will be a significant technological challenge.
Drilling on Mars is a significant challenge, but data from InSight suggests that there may be other areas rich in water, such as Utopia Planitia. New research missions are essential to map potential water layers across the planet. Future rovers may explore these reservoirs, analyzing their chemistry for signs of life.
