NASA is employing cutting-edge technology to search for essential minerals in the American West. The agency recently deployed the AVIRIS-5 (Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer-5), a sensor designed to locate critical minerals that power consumer electronics, electric vehicles, and clean energy technologies. This initiative forms part of a collaborative research project with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) known as GEMx, which aims to identify surface traces of these vital resources.
Developed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) since the 1970s, AVIRIS-5 is approximately the size of a microwave and fits into the nose of NASA’s ER-2 high-altitude research aircraft. The sensor builds upon earlier iterations, with its first version being used in 1986. The latest model enhances the ability to detect minerals characterized by “unique chemical structures” that reflect specific wavelengths of light.
Exploring the American West
Since the project commenced in 2023, NASA and USGS have surveyed over 366,000 square miles (approximately 950,000 square kilometers) of desert terrain. These arid regions are particularly suited for mineral spectroscopy due to the sparse vegetation, which allows for clearer readings. By capturing reflected light, AVIRIS-5 can identify the “spectral fingerprints” that correspond to various critical minerals, including aluminum, lithium, zinc, graphite, tungsten, and titanium.
The USGS classifies critical minerals as those with “significant consequences for the economic or national security of the U.S.” These materials are integral to the manufacturing of advanced technologies, such as semiconductors and solar energy systems. In March 2025, the White House issued an Executive Order aimed at increasing domestic production of these minerals, citing national security concerns linked to reliance on foreign sources.
Applications Beyond Mining
In addition to its role in mineral exploration, AVIRIS-5 represents a broader technological capability developed by JPL. Similar spectrometers have been utilized in NASA missions to investigate planetary bodies 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, sees significant potential for AVIRIS-5 beyond critical minerals. “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 innovate in the field of remote sensing, the implications of AVIRIS-5 could extend far beyond its current applications, promising enhanced understanding and management of Earth’s resources.
