Research progress on exploration，exploitation，and in-situ utilization of Martian water resources

In order to meet the needs of future Mars base construction and resource utilization，the research progress on the exploration，exploitation，and in-situ utilization of the Martian water resources was reviewed．Firstly，the exploration methods of Martian water resources such as imaging and spectral data analyses and radar detection were systematically reviewed．Secondly，the occurrence of available water resources on Mars，including atmospheric water resources，polar and middle-high latitude subsurface ice resources and water contained in hydrated minerals，was analyzed．In addition，the extraction and exploitation techniques and in-situ utilization pathways of different types of water resources were discussed．On this basis，it is recommended that further surveys on the distribution and reserve of water resources on Mars should be conducted，systematic planning for the water exploitation process should be strengthened，and targeted research on water resource extraction and utilization in specific candidate sites should be carried out． This paper will provide valuable references for future manned Mars exploration and the establishment of Martian research station of China． © 2024 Huazhong University of Science and Technology. All rights reserved.