The odd part... This constant search for water on other planets. Other than water that has been peed out by astronauts in outer space, all the water that was on earth from the very beginning is still here.
Water doesn’t disappear. It turns into ice, but when the ice melts... What you have is water. It evaporates into the air, but then it turns back into water and falls back to earth as rain. We really do not need any more water. We have enough on earth to satisfy humanity until the end of humanity.
That’s why I find this need to find water so interesting... I guess the idea is that we can live on Mars or the Moon because there is water there. The question is... Once you have found heaven... Which happens to be on earth if you’re living in the right place... Why would you go anywhere else?
It has nothing to do with us needing water. It has everything to do with sustaining life not of earth.
I have wondered about this for many years. Thank you for describing it so well.
Within known science water, a molecule of Hydrogen and Oxygen, is absolutely necessary for building and sustaining all living things. We carry a miniature saltwater sea inside these bags of flesh, bone, and feces called our “bodies”. Along with Carbon, the solar system and galaxy seem to be awash in the stuff. Find water and you might find life.
You "guess" right.
Putting the issue of "colonization" aside for a moment...
If scientists ever want to establish a long-term base on either the Moon or Mars, it would be VERY, VERY convenient to be able to tap local sources of water. Besides needing drinking water, there's also a need for water for purposes of, e.g., irrigation. Because how could you possibly establish a self-sustaining, long-term research station on either the Moon or Mars without growing your own food?
Water can also be subjected to electrolysis to produce breathable O2.
Water could also be used either as an inert propellant (heated by nuclear energy to produce steam), or as a feedstock for various other industrial purposes.
The possibilities are endless...
Regards,
Cause eventually we’re not going to be able to live here. If it’s not an ice age, it will be an asteroid, or pole reversal, and even if we avoid everything else some day the sun will turn off. If we want anything we’ve accomplished to matter the human egg must be in more than one basket.