NASA will send three ships with humans to Mars – Express

The discovery of water in liquid form on Mars is a new step in space research, suggesting that “there may be life on Mars.” On Monday, NASA announced the secret that had promised and assured that the future will be of intensive research.

Now the next step is to send scientists to the planet. It needs to know where it comes from water and still respond to many other questions. For this reason, over the next three years will be sent to Mars three spacecraft with scientists on board, “send in the very near future, scientists there,” said Jim Green, NASA, at a press conference in Washington in U.S. . Priority will be inspecting the soil and see if “there is life on Mars”

Alfred McEwen, of the charge of Research, says that with this finding is “highly likely” that there is microbial life – for example, viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites – Mars. As for the plants, the scenario seems more complicated, since the altitude is very high – “three times the Everest and higher than the aircraft can fly” – and consequently also the pressure. The Martian atmosphere is still very thin. Accordingly, even with water, it becomes difficult for a plant to survive. “But if we can build a greenhouse and put a tap with water, then it might already work,” adds John Grunsfeld, NASA.

In the past, the US space station had already found indications that existed Ice on Mars, but now it is confirmed that there is liquid water to run through the canyons and craters during the summer months on Mars. “Mars is not a dry planet. In certain circumstances, has been found on Mars liquid water, “said Jim Green.

The researchers looked at the dark marks that cover the Martian surface and concluded that they were created from salt water. “This water is much saltier than the water in Earth’s oceans. Probably is distributed in wet soil layers, “said Alfred McEwen.

” We have not seen rain, but we’ve seen snow. We know that there is a water cycle. There are three billion years ago there was a very intense water cycle, “said Jim Green. “If you go back three billion years ago, Mars was a very different planet. I had something we believe is a huge ocean – perhaps as large as two-thirds of the northern hemisphere. I had extensive water resources, but Mars suffered a major climate change and the water that had lost to the surface. Today we are revolutionizing our understanding of this planet, our vehicles exploration found that there is more moisture in the air than you ever imagined. The soils are moist and filled with water. These findings are important, but are only part of the hydrological cycle on Mars, we are now beginning to understand, “he added.

The origin of the water remains a” mystery. ” One of two things: it comes from the atmosphere or comes from the ground. Or even both. However, any one theory presents problems, and there is still no certainty. “I am more inclined towards the idea that comes from the air, picked up by deliquescent salts [absorb air humidity and then liquefy], such as perchlorate and chlorine,” said McEwen. The presence of perchlorate allows water remains in liquid state even at low temperatures

This discovery it is not a river or a sea. – Refers to small amounts of brine, whose importance It is due to the fact that until a few years ago to think that Mars was just a huge desert.