Life on Mars? European Space Agency’s Orbiter discovers ice water deposits at equator

Scientists operating Europe’s Mars Express Orbiter have identified extensive ice water deposits hidden beneath the surface of Mars. The findings, based on data from the orbiter, indicate that these deposits could be as thick as 3.7 kilometres, raising the possibility that Mars, in its past, supported conditions suitable for life. The estimated volume of these deposits is staggering, with the potential to fill Earth’s Red Sea upon melting or blanket the entire Martian surface in a two-meter-deep layer of water. According to experts, this evidence suggests that Mars exhibited a vastly different environment in the past, featuring glaciers, lakes, and river channels. Colin Wilson, a project scientist at the European Space Agency (ESA), explained, “We’ve seen evidence of glaciers, extinct glaciers which are no longer there, but also some glaciers covered with dust. Most of the water ice we’ve seen on Mars today is at higher latitudes, where the temperatures are colder and so the ice can be stable.” The revelation challenges previous assumptions, as the ice water deposits were found at Mars’ equator rather than its poles. Wilson noted, “We don’t expect to see a polar ice cap at the equator. It’s as ludicrous on Mars as it would be on Earth, but that’s what the data are telling us, saying it does look like that.” The unexpected location of the ice-water deposits has sparked excitement among scientists, particularly in the context of potential future human exploration missions to Mars. Unlike polar regions, the equatorial location could facilitate landing for exploration missions due to favourable orbital mechanics and increased power availability. Jim Green, NASA’s Director of Planetary Science, expressed the significance of the discovery, stating, “Today, we’re revolutionizing our understanding of this planet. Our rovers are finding that there’s a lot more humidity in the air than we ever imagined.” The Mars Express orbiter, which initially confirmed the presence of ice on Mars in 2004, discovered these deposits in 2007. However, the composition remained unclear until now, with the latest data suggesting that the deposits consist of layers of dust and ice. Despite the potential benefits for future exploration missions, Wilson cautioned that the layers of dust and ice are topped with a protective layer several hundred meters thick, making direct access challenging. “Unfortunately, this probably won’t be the answer to our human exploration needs,” he added. The Mars Express probe, launched in June 2003, recently marked two decades of studying the Red Planet, providing valuable insights into Mars’ geological history and potential for sustaining life in the distant past.