Water on Moon vs. Mars

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Jeters_Boy

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Why does NASA make a huge deal of water on Mars suggesting life exists or once existed on Mars, yet water on the Moon doesn't? Is it the lack of atmosphere?
 
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MeteorWayne

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That's part of it. The other is that it appears there is far more water on Mars than there is on the moon.
 
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Shpaget

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I'd also say that water is almost essential for any (semi)permanently maned station and fuel production, and Mars is a lot harder to reach and supply than Moon.
That would mean that the prospect of self sustainable Mars base is much more exciting than the one on Moon since the latter can be supplied from Earth.
 
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bdewoody

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Something else to think about. Treaties aside, whoever gets there first and starts harvesting this water will have a commanding lead in exploring or exploiting the rest of the solar system. Unless deposits of water are widespread staking claims to the most valuable sites will be of the upmost importance. If I see this as obvious its likely that others do too.

The United States and it's allies better get off their collective duffs and get there ASAP
 
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neilsox

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Both Mars and the Moon likely have some water and possibly microscopic life, many miles below the surface. Closer to the surface, and more water is more likely on Mars, because Mars has more gravity. Neil
 
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MeteorWayne

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neilsox":1295kol6 said:
Both Mars and the Moon likely have some water and possibly microscopic life, many miles below the surface. Closer to the surface, and more water is more likely on Mars, because Mars has more gravity. Neil

In addition Mars has an (albeit thin) atmosphere, which makes it easier to retain any water vapor and subsurface water it has.
 
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