Subsurface Water Ice Mapping (SWIM) Project

Why is it in the news?

• The SWIM project, funded by NASA and led by the Planetary Science Institute, has released its fourth and most detailed map indicating potential subsurface water ice locations on Mars.
• Initially, in 2019, the SWIM project focused on Mars’ northern hemisphere. The following phase in 2020 expanded to cover the southern hemisphere.

Significance of the New Mars Ice Mapping

• The map offers updated data on ice reservoirs, utilizing Context Camera (CTX) and High-Resolution Imaging Experiment (HIRISE) instruments.
• The map serves as an essential tool for future Mars missions, highlighting water ice resources, which could decrease the need for transporting water from Earth, streamlining mission logistics.
• Bolsters our comprehension of Mars’ geological characteristics and surface formations.
• Aids in pinpointing areas with possibilities of past or current life on Mars.
• Propels exploration and utilization of resources on the Mars.

About Mars

• Positioned as the fourth celestial body from the Sun, Mars, often referred to as the “Red Planet,” is a frigid desert planet, roughly half the size of Earth.
• Its distinctive red hue is attributed to the rusty iron present in its soil.
• Mars showcases dynamic features, including seasons, polar ice caps, extinct volcanoes, and traces indicating even more past activity.
• Its thin atmospheric layer comprises carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and argon.
• Although there are indicators of historical floods on Mars, presently, water primarily exists in the form of icy soil and sparse clouds.