NASA has deployed a sophisticated airborne instrument to assist in locating vital mineral resources across western regions of the United States.
Advanced Detection Technology
The device, known as AVIRIS-5, represents the latest evolution of imaging spectrometer technology originally pioneered at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory decades ago. Compact enough to be mounted on high-altitude research planes, this sensor builds upon designs first utilized in the 1980s.
This equipment serves as a key component of the GEMx initiative, a collaborative effort between NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey aimed at identifying surface indications of strategically important minerals. These substances are fundamental to producing modern electronics and advanced military systems.
Desert Exploration Advantages
The GEMx program has been actively surveying extensive desert territories since 2023, covering approximately 950,000 square kilometers. Arid environments provide ideal conditions for spectroscopic analysis due to minimal vegetation interference.
Target minerals possess distinctive molecular compositions that interact uniquely with light. By analyzing reflected wavelengths, AVIRIS-5 can identify characteristic spectral patterns that reveal mineral deposits.
Strategic Resource Importance
The U.S. Geological Survey classifies certain minerals as critical based on their importance to national economic stability and security. This category includes substances like lithium, titanium, graphite, and tungsten—materials essential for manufacturing semiconductors, renewable energy components, and electric vehicle batteries.
In March 2025, presidential directives emphasized expanding domestic production of these resources, citing security vulnerabilities created by dependence on foreign supplies.
Broader Scientific Applications
Beyond terrestrial mineral surveys, similar spectrometer technology developed by JPL has been deployed on interplanetary missions to study celestial bodies including Mars and distant dwarf planets.
"One is en route to Europa, an ocean moon of Jupiter, to search for the chemical ingredients needed to support life," a JPL spokesperson wrote in a statement.
JPL researcher Dana Chadwick highlighted the sensor's versatile potential: "The breadth of different questions you can take on with this technology is really exciting, from land management to snowpack water resources to wildfire risk. Critical minerals are just the beginning for AVIRIS-5."
