Data from satellite missions have aided in creating a new map detailing the distribution of ice in various regions of Mars. This information will not only assist in planning crewed missions but also generate new hypotheses about the reasons behind fluctuations in Mars' ice distribution.

Sponsored by NASA, the Subsurface Water Ice Mapping (SWIM) program has revealed the latest map of Mars, illustrating regions with subsurface ice layers. This map is valuable for planning future crewed missions and will aid in determining landing sites for the first astronauts.

Since early 2017, under the SWIM project led by the Planetary Science Institute and NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, data from several NASA missions to Mars has been collected to create a map indicating the likelihood of finding water in different locations on Mars.

Researchers relied on data obtained through the Context Camera (CTX) and High Definition Imaging Experiment (HIRISE) on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft to create the latest map. These instruments provide high-resolution images of Martian landscapes, revealing small impact craters scattered across Mars' surface and exposing ice layers.

Information about the distribution of ice on Mars is crucial for planning crewed missions, as having accessible sources of water on Mars would significantly reduce the amount of water that needs to be transported from Earth.

Currently, Mars' polar regions appear to be good landing options, but mission planners do not want to choose locations that are too cold for crewed landings, as maintaining a comfortable temperature would require additional energy expenditure.

"When sending people to Mars, we try to get them as close to the equator as possible. The ideal option would be to choose a location with the lowest geographical latitude where accessible ice is present. SWIM ice maps on Mars are created precisely for this purpose," said Sidney Do, the SWIM project manager.

In addition to mission planning, SWIM maps can contribute to a deeper understanding of why the distribution of subsurface water ice in different regions of Mars is uneven.