Scientists analyzing data from the Marsis radar of the Mars Express mission have just identified that under the dry and dusty surface of Mars there is a huge reservoir of frozen water, something so gigantic that if it melted it could cover the entire red planet almost 3 meters deep. This discovery occurred in an intriguing formation near the Martian equator, revealing possibly the largest deposit of ice found to date outside the polar regions and if confirmed that would radically change our understanding of the history and climate of Mars, even the future of human exploration there.
The Medusae Fosae formation is an immense geological structure full of mysteries, it extends for hundreds of kilometers with heights exceeding 1 km and certain areas separating the lowlands to the north from the highlands to the south of Mars. Previously, scientists believed that the formation was composed of volcanic ash or feelings deposited by the wind, but the most recent data captured by the Marsis radar point to the existence of thick layers of ice hidden under tons of dust and sediments.
The radar that penetrates deeply into the Martian soil found reflections very similar to those of the polar layers, suggesting an impressive depth reaching up to 3 km. The Marsis radar sends electromagnetic waves that cross the Martian soil and return when they encounter different structures such as ice or rocks.
The reflection patterns captured suggest that the estimated volume of this ice is comparable to the Red Sea, which if it melted could cover the entire Martian surface with water, the detailed analysis of the radar data involved advanced algorithms that manage to clearly distinguish ice from rock or sand.
This technology allows for a precise understanding of underground geology, ensuring that future missions can explore these deposits. This discovery can completely transform the future of human missions to the Red Planet, unlike the poles, difficult regions for human landings and operations. The Medusae Fossae formation is located near the Martian equator, offering a strategic and valuable point.
Having access to a huge reservoir of water near the Equator is vital for future human bases, allowing the extraction of drinking water, production of oxygen and even the manufacture of fuel for friends, greatly expanding the possibilities of sustainable exploration. The discovery, if confirmed, opens incredible doors for science and for future explorers. It also suggests a much more humid and habitable Martian past, possibly preserving clues about the planet's ancient life.
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Hopefully, the water they are finding is usable when people arrive and not be a quirk of the instruments.
The decision about where the first Starships should land is definitely influenced by where the water is so could be a problem if they are wrong.
ps. Nice images.
Exactly, that must be planned before the ship leaves, but I imagine that beforehand they will send a sona and a ship with a robot to prepare the site, that is what the robots will be for.
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