A new paper suggests that the wreckage of old spacecraft on Mars, littering the planet’s surface with discarded metal and electronics, could hold significant archaeological value. Despite concerns about the environmental impact, scientists argue that these “space trash” relics offer a unique window into the history of space exploration.
At least 16 probes, landers, and rovers have been sent to Mars since the 1970s, but most have ended in failure or disrepair. The surface is now strewn with debris from these missions, including rusty metal fragments, parachute shreds, and mangled circuit boards.
Professor Justin Holcomb of the University of Kansas believes that these wrecks can be seen as a form of “space archaeology.” He draws parallels between the study of ancient artifacts on Earth and the analysis of space debris on Mars, proposing that the wreckage could provide valuable insights into the technological advancements and strategies employed by early space missions.
As researchers continue to explore the Martian surface, the study of this space trash is gaining attention as a potential new field of interdisciplinary research, combining astronomy, history, and science.
Source: https://www.thetimes.com/uk/science/article/space-junk-isnt-pollution-its-archaeology-says-professor-7mfdh8vjw