Home > World News > Article Monday May 27, 2002 Frozen water detected on Mars May 27 2002 AAP NASA's Mars Odyssey spacecraft has reportedly detected water ice under the surface of the red planet - offering the possibility for the first time of sustaining human life on Earth's nearest neighbour. Many astronomers believe Mars used to have quantities of liquid water on its surface, but they've never agreed on where the water went. Research to be published in this week's edition of the journal Science may help answer that question. Liquid water is seen as a prerequisite for Earth-type life on a planet, and underground water ice could be a key to understanding how Mars developed. The detection of sub-surface water ice on Mars is just what Mars Odyssey was sent into space to investigate. The head of NASA's Mars exploration program, Jim Garvin, is due to tell a conference of planetary scientists in Washington this week that NASA plans to put a man on Mars within 20 years. Mars Society Australia president Guy Murphy today said research being conducted by Australian scientists into sustaining life on Mars would make a "modest contribution" to NASA's plans. The society was building a capsule in the Australian outback to simulate life on Mars, including how to find water, transportation requirements and surface conditions. Mr Murphy said this information, together with sister projects in North America and Iceland, would fill a gap in the official NASA research. "It will contribute to the knowledge base that's going to be required to undertake that exercise," he said. "It will be a modest contribution but I think it's something that many Australians will be pleased to see Australia become involved in." The discovery of water on the red planet has boosted hopes of sending a manned mission to Mars sooner than planned. Without a ready supply of water, human missions would need enough on their spacecraft to last the two-year round trip - both logistically difficult and expensive. Dr Nick Hoffman, a senior lecturer in earth sciences at Melbourne University and a member of the Australian research team, said the outback was perfect for Mars research. He said the society recently confirmed the research would be conducted at Lake Frome Plains, east of Arkaroola in South Australia, because of its similarity to parts of Mars. Printer friendly version Email to a friend text | handheld (how to) membership | conditions | privacy Copyright © 2002. The Sydney Morning Herald. advertise | contact us