TL;DR: Ceres may contain more fresh water than Earth. Dawn discovered organic molecules, bright salt deposits (Cerealia Facula), and evidence of a subsurface brine ocean. As the largest object in the asteroi
Ceres may contain more fresh water than Earth. Dawn discovered organic molecules, bright salt deposits (Cerealia Facula), and evidence of a subsurface brine ocean. As the largest object in the asteroid belt, Ceres could serve as a staging point for outer solar system missions.
Type
C-type (carbonaceous, dwarf planet)
Composition
Carbonaceous; water ice; hydrated minerals; salts; possible subsurface brine ocean
Orbit
2.77 AU (main belt), period 4.60 years
Mining Potential
Very High - largest water resource in main belt; potential propellant depot for outer solar system
Mission
Dawn (orbited 2015-2018); no current mission