Martian soil may contain detrimental substance

NASA's Phoenix spacecraft has detected the presence of a chemically reactive salt in the Martian soil, a finding that if confirmed could make it less friendly to potential life than once believed.

Scientists previously reported that the soil near Mars' north pole was similar to backyard gardens on Earth where plants such as asparagus, green beans and turnips could grow. But preliminary results from a second lab test found perchlorate, a highly oxidizing salt, that would create a harsh environment.

The first test "suggested Earth-like soil. Further analysis has revealed un-Earthlike aspects of the soil chemistry," chief scientist Peter Smith of the University of Arizona in Tucson said in a statement Monday.

On Earth, perchlorate is a natural and manmade contaminant sometimes found in soil and groundwater. It is the main ingredient in solid rocket fuel and can be found in fireworks, pyrotechnics and other explosives.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/08/04/state/n151513D83.DTL

If we can use the perchlorate to make rocket fuel on Mars, we won't need to carry as much with us. That means we can carry more non-fuel payload on each mission. Meanwhile, Arean fuel manufacture can produce, as a byproduct, perchlorate-free soil, suitable for agriculture.

:)

and that common sense... STOP THAT, it's not how this administration works!
Stop all that ... thinking !!! :)
It could also be evidence that the Martians did themselves in with explosives. Literally blew themselves to hell, thus why mars is such a wreck.

Martian Republicans destroyed all life on the planet.