NASA has launched a new initiative to locate critical minerals crucial for modern technology using a cutting-edge sensor known as AVIRIS-5 (Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer-5). This advanced tool, developed from technology created at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in the 1970s, is now operational on high-altitude research aircraft and aims to identify mineral deposits across the American West.
The AVIRIS-5 sensor, comparable in size to a microwave, is mounted on NASA’s ER-2 aircraft. Since its initial deployment in 1986, the instrument has undergone significant enhancements. Currently, it plays a pivotal role in the GEMx project, a collaborative effort between NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). This project focuses on detecting surface traces of minerals essential for manufacturing consumer electronics, electric vehicles, and military technologies.
Mapping Critical Minerals Across the American West
The GEMx project has surveyed over 366,000 square miles (approximately 950,000 square kilometers) since its inception in 2023. Deserts are particularly well-suited for this type of mineral exploration due to their sparse vegetation, which allows for more accurate readings. The sensor detects “spectral fingerprints,” which are unique chemical signatures reflected by minerals, enabling scientists to identify critical resources such as aluminum, lithium, zinc, graphite, tungsten, and titanium.
According to the USGS, these minerals are defined as having “significant consequences for the economic or national security of the U.S.” The importance of these materials has been underscored by an Executive Order issued by the White House in March 2025. The order aims to enhance domestic production of critical minerals, citing the current threat to American national security posed by reliance on foreign suppliers.
Broader Implications for Science and Technology
In addition to its role in mineral exploration, the AVIRIS-5 sensor has applications beyond Earth. Over the years, similar spectrometers designed by JPL have been deployed on various spacecraft, aiding scientists in their studies of other planets within our solar system, including Mars, Mercury, and Pluto. A JPL representative noted that one of the instruments is currently en route to Europa, a moon of Jupiter, to investigate the chemical elements necessary for sustaining life.
Dana Chadwick, an Earth system scientist at JPL, expressed optimism about the versatility of the AVIRIS-5 sensor. “The breadth of different questions you can take on with this technology is really exciting,” Chadwick stated. “From land management to snowpack water resources to wildfire risk, critical minerals are just the beginning for AVIRIS-5.”
As NASA continues to refine its capabilities, the implications of this research extend far beyond mineral extraction, potentially influencing various sectors including environmental science and resource management.
