Mapping Mars: A Game-Changing Ice Locator for NASA's Future Astronaut Missions
The Subsurface Water Ice Mapping (SWIM) project has released its latest map of where water ice is likely to be located on Mars, which will aid NASA in deciding where to send future astronauts. By collating data from multiple Mars missions, SWIM has created a map that shows the likelihood of water ice in different areas of the planet. This information is crucial for mission planning, as astronauts will need access to water ice for sustenance. The map will help identify landing zones that are close to the equator but still contain accessible ice. Additionally, scientists hope that these maps will provide insights into the variations in water ice distribution on Mars.