Today, there is very little water on Mars. There are some areas where water ice exists, such as near craters and the poles. And it’s thought to have water ice beneath the planet’s surface. But there is no liquid water, which will be a challenge for future explorers. However, researchers disagree on exactly when there is water on the surface. Now, using data from China’s “Zhurong” probenew researchsuggests that water may have been around longer than previously thought.
Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences looked at data from the rover’s microscopic imaging camera and two spectrometers, which analyze the composition of a sample by looking at the wavelengths of light it absorbs. They found the presence of hydrated minerals in the Martian samples, meaning these minerals formed in the presence of water. They also discovered layers of material known as “crusts,” which form in the presence of water.
Previously, it was assumed that water existed on Mars until about 3 billion years ago. However, that timeline has been challenged by recent discoveries, such as data from NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter that found signs of salt minerals that suggest water may have existed as recently as 2 billion years ago.
Research using data from the Zhurong probe appears to support the notion that water exists until much earlier than previously thought. It collected data from the Utopia Planitia region of Mars and identified the hydrated sulfate/silica material that gives the rock its bright color.
Also, the fact that these rocks were found at the surface is interesting because it indicates the presence of ground ice. This could be a useful resource for future manned missions to Mars, which will require large amounts of water.
Water is very important for manned missions, not only to give astronauts something to drink, but also to serve as rocket propellant for launches from the surface of Mars. Water is too heavy to carry in large quantities on rocket missions, so astronauts will have to search for water on Mars.
While there is abundant water ice on the surface around the poles of Mars, most crewed mission plans hope to send astronauts to regions of Mars close to the equator. That means astronauts will likely have to bake minerals to extract the water in them, or find ice sources to melt to make the water they need.
