NASA has unveiled its latest technological advancement in the quest for vital minerals, crucial for powering consumer electronics and clean energy solutions. The new sensor, known as AVIRIS-5 (Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer-5), will aid in identifying these essential resources across the American West.
Developed from technology originating at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in the 1970s, AVIRIS-5 is compact, roughly the size of a microwave, and is mounted in the nose of NASA’s ER-2 high-altitude research aircraft. The sensor builds upon its predecessor, which was first deployed in 1986, benefitting from decades of refinement by JPL engineers.
GEMx Project Aims to Find Surface Traces
AVIRIS-5 is a key component of the joint research initiative known as the GEMx project, in collaboration with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). This ongoing project targets surface traces of critical minerals, which are defined by the USGS as having significant implications for the economic or national security of the United States. The project has already surveyed over 366,000 square miles (approximately 950,000 square kilometers) of the arid landscapes in the American West since its launch in 2023.
Deserts are particularly suitable for mineral spectroscopy, as the sparse vegetation allows for clearer detection of mineral signatures. AVIRIS-5 exploits the unique chemical structures of various minerals, which reflect distinct wavelengths of light. By analyzing this reflected light, the sensor can identify the “spectral fingerprints” of critical minerals, which include aluminum, lithium, zinc, graphite, tungsten, and titanium. These minerals are integral to the manufacturing of key technologies such as semiconductors, solar energy systems, and electric vehicle batteries.
The urgency of this research was underscored by a March 2025 Executive Order from the White House, which called for maximizing domestic production of these minerals, citing American national and economic security concerns tied to dependency on foreign sources.
Expanding Applications Beyond Mineral Discovery
In addition to its role in locating critical minerals, AVIRIS-5 is part of a broader spectrum of spectrometers developed by JPL, which have been utilized in space missions to enhance understanding of other celestial bodies in our solar system. A JPL spokesperson noted that one such device is headed to Europa, a moon of Jupiter, to search for chemical ingredients that could support life.
Dana Chadwick, an Earth system scientist at JPL, expressed enthusiasm about the potential applications of AVIRIS-5 beyond mineral exploration. “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,” Chadwick stated. “Critical minerals are just the beginning for AVIRIS-5.”
As NASA continues to deploy this advanced technology, the implications for both national security and sustainable energy initiatives are significant. The successful identification and extraction of these critical minerals may play a pivotal role in shaping the future of technology and energy production on a global scale.
