Mars, often called the “Red Planet,” has always fascinated scientists and space fans, especially when it comes to its water. Even though Mars looks dry and dusty, it actually has a lot of water hidden in its soil, which is called regolith.
Studies show that the soil on Mars can have different amounts of water. In some dry areas, it might have just 1% water, while in wetter places, it can have up to 60%. This water isn’t visible because it’s mixed with the soil, forming a frozen blend that looks like a brick made of ice and dirt.
To get this water, one way is to break up the regolith using heavy tools, similar to a jackhammer. Since Mars is extremely cold, the soil is often frozen, making it hard to dig up. Once the soil is broken, it can be heated in an oven to turn the water into steam. This steam can then be purified into drinking water through a distillation process.
Luckily, there’s an easier way to get water on Mars. Scientists have developed machines that can pull moisture from the air, much like dehumidifiers on Earth. These machines use a mineral called zeolite, which is found on both Earth and Mars. Zeolite works like a sponge, soaking up water vapor from the air. When it’s full, the zeolite can be squeezed to release the water.
In the late 1990s, NASA researchers at the University of Washington created a device called WAVAR to extract water from the Martian atmosphere. This technology shows that finding water on Mars might not be as hard as we once thought.
Besides getting water from the soil and air, Mars also has large amounts of frozen water. Satellites orbiting Mars have taken pictures and done geological studies, revealing lots of frozen ice, especially at the poles. Some of this ice is mixed with frozen carbon dioxide, but many craters have pure frozen water.
For future Mars missions, having access to water—whether from the soil, air, or ice—offers a great resource for astronauts. By landing near areas with ice, explorers could have the water they need to survive, making living on Mars a real possibility.
Using materials like sand, clay, and small stones, create a model of Martian regolith. Experiment by adding different amounts of water to see how it changes the texture and weight. Discuss with your classmates how this relates to the water content found in Martian soil.
Imagine you are an engineer tasked with extracting water from Martian soil. Design a simple device using household items that could simulate the process of heating regolith to extract water. Present your design to the class and explain how it works.
Learn about zeolite and its properties. Create a small-scale model of a water collector using materials that mimic zeolite’s ability to absorb moisture. Test your model in a humid environment and measure how much water it collects over time.
Conduct research on the WAVAR technology developed by NASA. Prepare a short presentation explaining how it works and its significance for future Mars missions. Share your findings with the class and discuss the potential impact on human exploration of Mars.
Using online resources, investigate the locations and amounts of frozen water on Mars. Create a map highlighting these areas and discuss how this information could influence the planning of future Mars missions. Consider the challenges and benefits of accessing these water reserves.
Mars – The fourth planet from the Sun in our solar system, known for its reddish appearance due to iron oxide on its surface. – Scientists are studying Mars to understand if it could have supported life in the past.
Water – A transparent, tasteless, odorless, and nearly colorless chemical substance, essential for all known forms of life. – The discovery of water in the form of ice on Mars has excited astronomers about the possibility of life.
Soil – The upper layer of earth in which plants grow, a black or dark brown material typically consisting of a mixture of organic substances, clay, and rock particles. – The soil on Mars contains nutrients that could potentially support plant life.
Regolith – A layer of loose, heterogeneous material covering solid rock, often found on the surface of planets and moons. – The lunar regolith is a key focus for scientists planning future moon missions.
Ice – Frozen water, a solid state of H2O, which can be found on Earth and other celestial bodies. – Ice caps at the poles of Mars suggest that the planet once had a much wetter climate.
Atmosphere – The envelope of gases surrounding a planet or celestial body. – Mars has a thin atmosphere composed mostly of carbon dioxide, with very little oxygen.
Zeolite – A group of minerals with a porous structure, often used in water purification and as catalysts in chemical reactions. – Zeolites could be used to extract water from the Martian atmosphere for future human missions.
Steam – The vapor into which water is converted when heated, forming a mist of minute water droplets in the air. – Scientists are exploring ways to use steam to power equipment on Mars using solar energy.
Astronauts – People trained to travel and perform tasks in space. – The first astronauts to land on Mars will conduct experiments to search for signs of past life.
Missions – Specific tasks or operations carried out by spacecraft or astronauts to explore space. – NASA’s missions to Mars aim to gather data about the planet’s geology and climate.
