NASA has launched an ambitious initiative to locate critical minerals essential for modern technology using a new high-tech sensor flying at an altitude of 60,000 feet. The sensor, named AVIRIS-5 (Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer-5), stems from technology developed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in the 1970s. This sophisticated tool is designed to enhance the ongoing GEMx project, a collaboration between NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), which focuses on identifying mineral deposits in the American West.
The AVIRIS-5, roughly the size of a microwave, is mounted on one of NASA’s ER-2 high-altitude research aircraft. Since its first deployment in 1986, JPL has continually improved the sensor, making it a vital asset in the search for minerals that are crucial to manufacturing consumer electronics, electric vehicles, and military technologies. The project primarily targets the arid landscapes of the American West, where the lack of vegetation allows for more effective mineral detection.
Exploring the American West for Valuable Resources
Since the beginning of 2023, the GEMx team has surveyed over 366,000 square miles (approximately 950,000 square kilometers) of land. The mission aims to identify minerals with unique chemical structures that reflect light in specific ways, allowing AVIRIS-5 to capture their “spectral fingerprints.” According to the USGS, critical minerals are defined as those that significantly impact the economic or national security of the United States. These include essential resources such as aluminum, lithium, zinc, graphite, tungsten, and titanium, which are integral to the supply chains of semiconductors, solar energy systems, and electric vehicle batteries.
In March 2025, the White House issued an Executive Order aimed at enhancing domestic mineral production, citing national and economic security concerns tied to reliance on foreign mineral sources. The order emphasizes the need for the U.S. to maximize its capabilities in producing these critical resources.
Broader Applications of AVIRIS-5 Technology
Beyond its immediate application in mineral detection, AVIRIS-5’s capabilities extend to various scientific inquiries. JPL has designed similar spectrometers for space missions, aiding scientists in their explorations of planets within our solar system, including Mars, Mercury, and Pluto. A spokesperson from JPL noted, “One is en route to Europa, an ocean moon of Jupiter, to search for the chemical ingredients needed to support life.”
Dana Chadwick, an Earth system scientist at JPL, highlighted the potential applications of AVIRIS-5 beyond locating minerals. “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,” she stated. “Critical minerals are just the beginning for AVIRIS-5.”
As NASA continues its efforts to secure vital resources and expand the utility of its technologies, the partnership with the USGS and the deployment of advanced sensors like AVIRIS-5 signify a significant step toward enhancing both national security and technological innovation.
