空间科学学报2025，Vol.45Issue(5)：1285-1306,22.DOI:10.11728/cjss2025.05.2024-0131
火星宜居环境关键要素分析及其对天问三号选址的启示
Analysis of the Key Elements of Martian Habitable Environment and Its Implication for Tianwen-3 Site Selection
摘要
Abstract
The study of Martian habitable environment is an important aspect of Mars exploration and planetary science.This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the key factors influencing Mar-tian habitability,by reviewing the research achievements from past Mars exploration missions.The anal-ysis focuses on four essential criteria necessary for life as we know it:the availability of key elements(carbon,nitrogen,sulfur,and phosphorus),the presence of liquid water,suitable climate conditions,and energy sources that could support life.These criteria form the foundation for understanding the poten-tial for life on Mars,both in its past and in possible future scenarios.Based on these factors,comparing and the geological background and key elements of habitable environments of Utopia Planitia and four typical areas of northwest of Arabia Terra(Mawrth Vallis,Oyama Crater,McLaughlin Crater,Oxia Planum).These regions were selected based on their geological characteristics and the available evidence of water-related activity.The findings emphasize that Utopia Planitia,with its extensive traces of an-cient liquid water activity,is a promising candidate for landing missions.The region is notable for its rich mineral composition,including the presence of minerals that strongly indicate the past or present potential for habitable conditions.These mineral traces provide invaluable clues regarding the availabili-ty of key life-supporting elements and the climatic conditions that could have prevailed in Mars'ancient past.In contrast,while Mawrth Vallis and Oxia Planum also provide compelling geological evidence of past water activity,they present certain challenges.These regions are known for their complex and high-ly varied geological history,which makes interpreting the evidence of habitability more difficult.More-over,the accessibility and preservation of key habitability features in these areas may be compromised due to erosional and environmental factors.On the other hand,Oyama Crater and McLaughlin Crater,although presenting some interesting findings,are less favorable candidates due to their environmental harshness,as well as limited evidence of sustained water activity or suitable conditions for life.The pa-per reinforces the significance of Utopia Planitia as an important target for future Mars missions,includ-ing the Tianwen-3 mission,which aims to explore the planet's potential for past or present life.And this paper offers critical insights that could guide the selection of landing sites for future missions and ad-vance the exploration of habitable environments on Mars.关键词
火星探测/宜居环境/着陆选址/天问三号Key words
Mars exploration/Habitable environment/Landing site/Tianwen-3分类
地质学引用本文复制引用
万李明,唐红,李雄耀,刘建忠..火星宜居环境关键要素分析及其对天问三号选址的启示[J].空间科学学报,2025,45(5):1285-1306,22.基金项目
国家重点研发计划青年科学家项目(SQ2022YFF0500123)和中国科学院青年创新促进会项目(Y2022099)共同资助 （SQ2022YFF0500123）
