2018 was a watershed year for space enthusiasts, as a number of key milestones were achieved. Water has been known to exist on the surface of the moon for a long time. However, according to a recent research report published on August 20, scientists have discovered evidence of water ice on the surface of the moon. Both the north and south poles of the moon have been discovered to be covered in ice. This provides a glimmer of hope for further exploration and the establishment of lunar settlements in the future.

The NASA InSight lander eventually arrived on Mars on November 26 after a six-month trip that covered 300 million miles and spanned six months. For the following two years, the goal is to research and gather information on the planet.

It was seen last year that a strange cigar-shaped mass was moving past the sun. There was no way for astronomers to determine the location of the object at that time. It was discovered to be a comet in 2018, following several observations and the use of the Hubble Space Telescope to examine the mass in greater detail. Oumuamua is a relatively small comet. Space experts are still debating whether or not the object is an alien spacecraft, with many believing it to be so.

A lot of the time, rocket experiments are a complete failure. Space X, on the other hand, was a major success, making everyone involved proud. On February 6th, the Falcon Heavy completed an incredible voyage, transporting seven people to the moon and Mars for research.

Several significant discoveries have been made in 2018, with Mars at the centre of attention. In July, scientists discovered a lake beneath the ice surface of Mars’ South Pole, which had previously been unknown. Water on Mars, no matter how salinity it is, is visible enough to raise the possibility that life once lived on the planet.

Organic compounds that are complex enough to contain life have been discovered on Enceladus, one of Saturn’s moons. These molecules are thought to be chemicals that might potentially harbour life. It contains a warm ocean that can extend as far as 30 miles beneath the surface. This provides evidence of underwater volcanic activity that has the potential to build ecosystems.