NASA has launched a new initiative to identify critical minerals essential for modern technology using a high-tech sensor known as AVIRIS-5 (Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer-5). This advanced tool, developed from technology originating at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in the 1970s, is currently assisting in the search for vital resources in the American West.
AVIRIS-5, approximately the size of a microwave, is mounted on one of NASA’s high-altitude ER-2 research aircraft. Since its initial deployment in 1986, JPL has continuously refined the sensor, which is now an integral part of the GEMx project, a collaboration between NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). This ongoing research aims to detect surface indicators of critical minerals, which play a crucial role in manufacturing consumer electronics and military equipment.
The GEMx project has made significant strides since its launch, covering over 366,000 square miles (950,000 square kilometers) of the American West in just a few months. The arid desert landscapes are particularly suitable for mineral spectroscopy due to the sparse vegetation, allowing for clearer readings of the minerals’ unique chemical signatures.
These minerals, defined by the USGS as having “significant consequences for the economic or national security of the U.S.,” include aluminum, lithium, zinc, graphite, tungsten, and titanium. They are essential components in the supply chains for technologies such as semiconductors, solar energy systems, and electric vehicle batteries.
In a determined effort to boost domestic production of these critical resources, the White House issued an Executive Order in March 2025. The order emphasized the need to reduce reliance on foreign powers for mineral sourcing, highlighting concerns over national and economic security.
Beyond its primary function in mineral detection, AVIRIS-5 represents a broader technological capability that extends to planetary exploration. Similar spectrometers developed by JPL have been utilized on various spacecraft to gather insights about celestial bodies, including Mars and Pluto. A JPL spokesperson noted that one spectrometer is currently en route to Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons, to investigate potential life-sustaining chemical compounds.
Dana Chadwick, an Earth system scientist at JPL, expressed enthusiasm for the diverse applications of AVIRIS-5 beyond mineral hunting. “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.”
The advancements represented by AVIRIS-5 not only mark a significant step in ensuring the United States can secure essential minerals but also open new avenues for scientific exploration and environmental management. As NASA continues to refine its technology, the implications for both national security and sustainable resource management are profound.
