A vital tool for future missions

The probe Mars Express It was discovered that extensive layers several kilometers long exist under the soil of the equator Mars It is deeper than previously thought, and indicates the presence of large amounts of ice, so much so that it may be The largest amount of water is found in this part of the planet. Scientists explain that these deposits are so large that if they melted, the buried ice would cover the entire planet with a layer of water between 1.5 and 2.7 meters deep, which is enough to fill the planet. Red Sea of ​​Earth.

The Mars Express mission is exploring Red planet. Just over fifteen years ago, while studying the Medusae Fossil Formation (MFF), he found enormous deposits up to 2.5 kilometers deep, but was unable to explain what they were.

“We re-explored the MFF using more recent data from the Mars Express MARSIS radar, and discovered that the sediment is much thicker than we thought: up to 3.7 km thick,” explains Thomas Waters from the Smithsonian Institution (USA). , lead author of both the new research and the initial 2007 study, notes that the signals detected by MARSIS are “very similar” to those found at Mars’ polar caps, “which we know are very rich in ice.”

The presence of this large mass of ice It will help understand how the planet's climate evolves But above all, it will be necessary to provide supplies for future manned missions, the authors stress.

Martian dust

MFF features Several formations sculpted by the windOr it is hundreds of kilometers in diameter and several kilometers high, and is located on the border between the high and lowlands of Mars, and may be the largest source of dust on Mars.

The first observations of Mars Express revealed that MFF It was relatively transparent to radar They had a low density – typical characteristics of glacial deposits – but at the time it could not be ruled out that they were giant accumulations of dust, volcanic ash or wind-blown sediment.

The new analysis indicates that it contains layers of dust and ice, covered by a thick layer of protective dust several hundred meters thick. Which is that, Although Mars today is a dry world, it once had abundant waterWith dry river channels, ocean floors, ancient lakes and valleys carved by water.

Important reserves of ice have also been found, Like huge polar hatsGlaciers buried near the equator, and near-surface ice spreading across the Martian soil.

History of the climate of Mars

But “how long ago were these ice deposits formed and what did Mars look like at that time? If it is confirmed to be water ice, these huge deposits It would change our understanding of climate history From Mars. “Any ancient water deposits would be a great target for human or robotic exploration,” says Colin Wilson, ESA project scientist for Mars Express and ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO).

The extent and location of these icy MFF deposits would also make them extremely valuable for our future exploration of Mars. Missions to Mars would have to land near the planet's equatorfar from ice-rich polar caps or glaciers in high latitudes but would need water as a resource, pSo finding ice in this area is almost a necessityPlows of human missions to the planet.

“Unfortunately, these MFF deposits are…Covered by hundreds of meters of dust, Making it inaccessible at least for the next few decades. “But every piece of ice we find will help us get a better idea of ​​where Martian water once flowed, and where it might be today,” Wilson said.