Universe Today by Evan Gough 12/14/2019
NASA Maps Out the Water On Mars. Some Will Be So Easy to Get, You Could Dig it Out With a Shovel
NASA has created a map showing how water is distributed on Mars. The water is frozen under the surface of the planet, and some of it is only 30 cm (12 inches) deep. At that depth, astronauts won’t need a machine to access it: just a shovel.
Ancient Mars used to be warm and had water flowing over its surface. There were rivers, crater lakes, and even oceans. But now most of that water is gone, and what’s left is frozen. Some of it’s at the poles, but much of it is under the surface, and has been there for a long time.
With plans to go to Mars in the works, it matters where resources are on that planet. And water is a chief resource. Its location will be a determinant in future missions to the red planet. It’ll be challenging to carry enough water to Mars, so finding it in situ will be key. The buried water ice can be used for drinking, maybe even agriculture, and definitely to make rocket fuel. When humans build their first outpost or research station on Mars, it’ll need to be near water.
More:
https://www.universetoday.com/144363/nasa-maps-out-the-water-on-mars-some-will-be-so-easy-to-get-you-could-dig-it-out-with-a-shovel/#more-144363
