NASA has taken to the skies with a groundbreaking new tool designed to uncover critical minerals that power modern technology. The sensor, called AVIRIS-5 (Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer-5), is a high-tech instrument capable of detecting minerals from high above the Earth’s surface. This technology is helping scientists and researchers identify the materials behind next-generation technologies, from electric vehicles and solar panels to advanced electronics used in everyday life.
By scanning the land from the air, AVIRIS-5 provides a detailed map of the mineral resources hidden in the American West. This is an important step for both national security and the economic growth of the United States, as many of these minerals are critical for modern industries.
AVIRIS-5: A Powerful Eye in the Sky
The AVIRIS-5 sensor is about the size of a microwave and is mounted in the nose of NASA’s ER-2 high-altitude research aircraft. The sensor is a product of decades of research by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), a lab that began developing similar technology in the 1970s. Since its debut in 1986, the sensor has gone through continuous upgrades, making it one of the most advanced instruments available today for mineral exploration.
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The sensor works by measuring the light reflected from the Earth’s surface. Every mineral reflects light in its own unique way, creating what scientists call a “spectral fingerprint.” AVIRIS-5 can detect these fingerprints across multiple wavelengths of light, allowing researchers to identify minerals hidden beneath the soil without the need for digging or drilling. This method, known as mineral spectroscopy, works particularly well in desert areas where vegetation is sparse, giving the sensor a clear view of the land below.
By capturing this data from high above, AVIRIS-5 can quickly survey large areas, covering more ground than traditional exploration methods. This ability is helping scientists discover mineral deposits that are critical for manufacturing and technology industries.
AVIRIS-5 and the GEMx Critical Mineral Project
AVIRIS-5 is a key part of a joint research project between NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) called GEMx. This project focuses on mapping and discovering critical minerals across the American West. These minerals are essential not only for everyday technologies but also for military and industrial applications.
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Since 2023, the GEMx project has successfully surveyed over 366,000 square miles (approximately 950,000 square kilometers). The goal is to locate minerals like aluminum, lithium, zinc, graphite, tungsten, and titanium. These materials are crucial for technologies such as semiconductors, electric vehicle batteries, and solar energy systems. According to the USGS, these minerals are especially important because they have “significant consequences for the economic or national security of the United States.”
In March 2025, the White House issued an Executive Order to increase domestic production of these minerals. The order emphasizes that reliance on foreign sources—especially from countries with tense relations with the U.S.—poses a national and economic security risk. AVIRIS-5 plays a vital role in this effort, providing accurate, high-resolution data to locate the minerals needed for strategic and technological purposes.
NASA’s Legacy of Spectrometer Innovation
The AVIRIS-5 sensor continues a long tradition of NASA spectrometers used both on Earth and in space. Over the years, instruments similar to AVIRIS-5 have been adapted for spacecraft, helping scientists study planets such as Mars, Mercury, and Pluto. These spectrometers measure light reflected from planetary surfaces, revealing the chemical composition and helping researchers understand how these worlds formed and evolved.
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On Earth, AVIRIS-5 allows researchers to study minerals without disturbing the environment. It can scan vast areas from high altitudes, providing detailed maps of mineral deposits much faster than conventional exploration techniques. This capability is essential for identifying rare and valuable resources needed for modern technology and industrial applications.
The GEMx project continues its work with NASA and USGS collaborating closely to map the hidden mineral wealth of the American West. The combination of aerial sensors like AVIRIS-5 and advanced spectroscopy techniques is providing a powerful tool to uncover the materials behind next-generation technologies and support the nation’s strategic mineral goals.
