NASA and USGS join forces to advance space resource detection

NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recently convened a diverse group of stakeholders from government, industry, and the international space community to focus on the technologies needed for future resource exploration, both on Earth and in space. The event, held in February at NASA's Ames Research Center in California's Silicon Valley, centered on tools and methods for locating and utilizing resources such as water ice and critical minerals found on the Moon, planetary bodies, and asteroids.

Over 300 participants joined the discussions, attending in person and online, to evaluate key technological capabilities required for identifying and mapping extraterrestrial resources. Topics included subsurface imaging sensors, innovative operational platforms, and new approaches to deploying and managing these systems effectively in space environments.

Scientific investigation of off-world terrains plays a vital role in pinpointing and analyzing resources of interest. This dual focus on resource assessment and scientific inquiry supports broader technology development goals while addressing essential questions about our solar system.

This event marked the third installment in the Planetary Subsurface Exploration for Science and Resources workshop series. Drawing on decades of Earth-based resource exploration experience and the specialized knowledge of the space technology sector, NASA and USGS aim to encourage collaborative innovation across academia, industry, and government. The objective is to conceptualize and advance the technologies necessary for sustainable space resource utilization.