Curiosity probe continues its findings to the surface of Mars. An analysis of rock samples collected by the robot, the Martian soil contains about 2% water. This represents about 33 liters of water per cubic meter of rock, reports the journal Science .
Curiosity had already revealed the presence of water currents ancient Mars , but they were dried. This recent discovery proves that the ground water would be existing and exploitable.
Need to heat the rocks to 835 degrees
The presence of water would facilitate the work of future human missions to Mars. Nothing to drink long sips of Martian water provided. To remove water from the rock, the sample has in fact had to be first heated to 835 degrees, in order to extract the different elements in gaseous form.
Exploit water ice caps of Mars would be easier. In 2003, Mars Express has discovered large reserves of ice at the poles of the planet.
But the presence of water across the surface of Mars would “extraction from anywhere”, which would facilitate the exploration, says Laurie Leshin, co-author of the work on the Curiosity BBC .
traces of past life forms
Besides water, the Martian soil contains carbon dioxide, oxygen, and sulfur. These products may come from perchlorate. However, these salts interfere with thyroid function, and ingestion of Martian dust could be a problem for humans, also reveals the researcher.
Curiosity had allowed scientists to establish the existence of past life on Mars in the form of microbes. But little chance of finding these microbes present, experts warn.
For now, Curiosity continues towards Mount Sharp, eight kilometers away. But the speed of the robot, the journey should take several months, Curiosity should also stop for further sampling.
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