<i>> The existence of water is still very much in doubt. Evidence seems to fit it existed at one time, but other explanation could easily be true. Evidence of water was observed recently, but not confirmed.</i><br /><br />Are you kidding? We've known about the water and CO2 ice in the polar caps since Viking. With the recent MRO and Mars Express data, we know that H2O makes up about 30% of the first meter of surface above and below 60' latitude. Mars is a polar desert with a case of rusty dandruff. It is swimming in water. Frozen water for now, but lots of it. <br /><br />This is something that gets repeated for every Mars mission, and so many space cadets continue the trend. We already know there is water on Mars and where it is. Every time you repeat the "We don't know about Mars water" mantra, you do space science a disservice. It's already been discovered. Now, answering complex questions about when/where ancient water affected the planet, that's different. But we've known Mars has an abundance of water for 30 years. <br /><br />Josh <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div align="center"><em>We need a first generation of pioneers.</em><br /></div> </div>