Martian soil is 1.5-3% water by weight

[DeltaV]

http://www.sciencemag.org/content/341/6153/1238937

Samples from the Rocknest aeolian deposit were heated to ~835°C under helium flow and evolved gases analyzed by Curiosity’s Sample Analysis at Mars instrument suite. H2O, SO2, CO2, and O2 were the major gases released. Water abundance (1.5 to 3 weight percent) and release temperature suggest that H2O is bound within an amorphous component of the sample.

[ladajo]

As long as we are not talking about the degredation propensity of amorphous materials I guess we are okay...

Is that a hammer in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?

[DeltaV]

As you well know, I am more concerned with surface-to-LEO. But the idea of Martian greenhouses and jacuzzis, bouncing around inside the skulls of wealthy VCs and capable space entrepreneurs, might help facilitate more commercial space funding and projects.

As far as amorphous material degradation...
http://www.iaea.org/About/Policy/GC/GC5 ... tt5_en.pdf

D. Storage of High Level Waste

13. Liquid high level waste (HLW) from the reprocessing of spent fuel is first solidified directly at
the reprocessing facility. The most frequently used solidification process is vitrification, i.e. the waste
products are melted together with glass material at high temperatures such that they are incorporated
into the glass structure.

[ladajo]

Okay, I admit it. I am a terrible speller on forum postings.

Degradation. Got it.

I guess no-one caught my joke...

Dr. Benoit