Norwegian radar to find ice and water on Mars

Photo: Norwegian Defence Research Institute (FFI)

A Norwegian designed radar will be installed on the European Space Association’s Mars probe ExoMars to look for ice and water under the surface. The radar is currently being tested on Svalbard.

The radar, named WISDOM (Water Ice and Subsurface Deposit Observations on Mars), is able to detect geological structures under the surface, and is able to create high resolution pictures from down to 2-3 metres. It is also able to differenciate between liquid water and ice.

“WISDOM will be the first so-called geo-radar on the surface of Mars,” says Svein-Erik Hamren from the Norwegian Defence Research Institute (FFI), where the radar has been developed.

Source: Norway Post

Read more about Norway’s Space Adventure on Spacecentre.no (The Norwegian Space Centre)