NASA's Modified U-2 Spy Plane Scours Desert for Strategic Minerals
NASA is utilizing its modified version of the Lockheed U-2 spy plane, called Earth Resources 2 (ER-2), to search for mineral resources in American deserts. The Geological Earth Mapping Experiment (GEMx) mission, conducted in collaboration with the United States Geological Survey (USGS), aims to identify vital strategic minerals necessary for electronics production. This high-altitude prospecting is crucial for ensuring a reliable supply of critical minerals to support the economy and national security of the United States.