Preparations are underway for the next round of moonwalk simulations, with NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey collaborating to map critical minerals across Western states like California and Nevada. Utilizing high-altitude aircraft and advanced sensors, the teams aim to identify sources of minerals essential for the nation’s economy and security. NASA’s long-standing partnership with USGS has been pivotal in exploring rocky worlds and ensuring astronaut safety, dating back to the Apollo era. This joint effort, known as the Geological Earth Mapping Experiment (GEMx), represents one of the largest airborne spectroscopic surveys in U.S. history, showcasing the cutting-edge technology developed by NASA and USGS to empower mineral mapping and exploration.
To read more, visit the original source: [NASA Article](https://www.nasa.gov/science-research/earth-science/meet-mineral-mappers-flying-nasa-tech-out-west/)