New radar data from the Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionospheric Sounding (MARSIS)

 

 

New radar data from the Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionospheric Sounding (MARSIS) suggest that Mars could have a massive underground water reservoir near its equator, hidden beneath the Medusae Fossae Formation (MFF). If melted, this deposit could cover the planet with up to nine feet of water, making it comparable in volume to Earth's Red Sea.

 

The MFF, a vast geological formation stretching hundreds of miles, has been a subject of debate for years. Recent radar scans indicate it may contain thick ice layers, similar to the polar ice caps on Mars. This finding raises new questions about the planet’s climate history and the age of these ice deposits.

 

For future Mars missions, the presence of ice near the equator could be a game-changer, providing a valuable water source for astronauts. This discovery offers crucial insights into Mars’ water history and could support human exploration by supplying drinking water, oxygen, and fuel.