NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) have initiated a high-altitude airborne mission to map critical mineral deposits across the American Southwest. The project, known as the Geological Earth Mapping Experiment (GEMx), uses a specialized aircraft to identify resources like lithium and cobalt, which are essential for modern technology and economic security.
Operating from Edwards Air Force Base in California, the mission employs NASA's ER-2 aircraft to survey arid regions in California, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico. The data collected is expected to enhance geological science and support decisions on resource management and environmental protection.
Key Takeaways
- The GEMx mission is a joint NASA-USGS project to map mineral deposits in the southwestern U.S.
- It targets critical minerals such as lithium and cobalt, vital for batteries and electronics.
- The mission utilizes NASA's ER-2 aircraft, a high-altitude science plane adapted from the U-2.
- Data will help address supply chain challenges, guide sustainable mining, and monitor environmental changes.
The Geological Earth Mapping Experiment
The Geological Earth Mapping Experiment, or GEMx, represents a strategic collaboration between two key U.S. government agencies. The initiative combines NASA's expertise in remote sensing technology with the USGS's extensive knowledge of geology and natural resources. The primary goal is to create detailed maps highlighting areas with high concentrations of specific minerals.
This effort focuses on arid and semi-arid landscapes of the Southwest. These regions are geologically rich, but a comprehensive understanding of their mineral resources is still developing. By identifying previously undiscovered deposits, GEMx aims to provide crucial information for national resource planning.
A Partnership for Science and Security
The collaboration between NASA and the USGS is designed to leverage the unique capabilities of each agency. NASA provides the advanced airborne platform and sensor technology, while the USGS offers the geological expertise to interpret the data and understand its implications for resource availability and environmental stewardship.
Advanced Technology at High Altitude
Central to the GEMx mission is NASA's ER-2 aircraft, a civilian version of the Lockheed U-2 reconnaissance plane. This aircraft is uniquely suited for Earth observation missions due to its ability to fly at altitudes above 70,000 feet. At this height, it operates above 99% of Earth's atmosphere, which minimizes atmospheric interference and allows for clearer, more accurate sensor readings.
How the Mineral Mapping Works
The ER-2 carries a suite of advanced imaging instruments that analyze light reflected from the Earth's surface. The core principle behind the mission is spectroscopy. Different minerals and rock types absorb and reflect sunlight in distinct ways, creating a unique spectral "fingerprint."
The instruments on the ER-2 can detect these subtle differences across a wide spectrum, including visible, infrared, and thermal light. By analyzing these spectral signatures, scientists can identify the composition of the ground below without ever setting foot on it. This high-resolution data is crucial for pinpointing potential deposits of valuable minerals.
Flying Above the Weather
The ER-2's operational altitude of over 70,000 feet (more than 21 kilometers) is more than double that of a typical commercial airliner. This allows it to fly above clouds and other weather systems, ensuring consistent and high-quality data collection on its survey flights.
Addressing Critical Resource Needs
The minerals targeted by the GEMx mission, such as lithium and cobalt, are foundational to the modern global economy. They are essential components in a wide range of technologies that define daily life.
- Lithium: A key ingredient in rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles, smartphones, and laptops.
- Cobalt: Used to create stable, high-performance batteries and is also a component in superalloys for jet engines.
Dependence on international sources for these materials has created supply chain vulnerabilities. By identifying domestic sources, the GEMx mission directly supports efforts to enhance economic security and build more resilient supply chains. The data gathered will help guide private industry and government agencies in making informed decisions about future exploration and development.
"These datasets can help guide decisions about where to explore for these minerals, how to mitigate the environmental impacts of mining, and how to assess Earth's evolving surface in a changing climate," as noted in mission documentation.
Broader Scientific and Environmental Benefits
While the search for minerals is a primary objective, the data from GEMx will have applications far beyond mining. The detailed surface composition maps can be used for a variety of scientific and environmental purposes.
Scientists can use the information to better understand the geological processes that shape the Earth's crust. The data also provides a valuable baseline for monitoring environmental changes over time. This includes tracking soil erosion, assessing the impact of climate change on landscapes, and managing water resources more effectively.
Promoting Sustainable Practices
Furthermore, the high-precision maps generated by GEMx can help promote more sustainable mining practices. By pinpointing the most promising locations for mineral deposits, the data can reduce the need for extensive and disruptive exploratory work. This allows for more targeted operations that minimize the environmental footprint. The information can also be used to identify ecologically sensitive areas that should be avoided.
Mission Operations in Detail
The operational hub for the GEMx flights is NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base in California. In late August 2025, ER-2 pilot Kirt Stallings was photographed preparing for one of the mission's survey flights. The image shows ground crews making final checks on the long-winged aircraft before takeoff.
Piloting the ER-2 is a demanding task that requires specialized training. Pilots must wear a full pressure suit, similar to those worn by astronauts, to survive the low-pressure environment at extreme altitudes. Each flight is meticulously planned to cover specific survey areas, with the aircraft flying precise patterns to ensure comprehensive data collection.
The results of the GEMx mission will be made available to scientists, policymakers, and the public, contributing to a deeper understanding of our planet's resources and how to manage them responsibly for future generations.