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Mineral Resources Program images.

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UAS Research Center's Saucer Shark Aeroshell and Payload are suspended in stairwell with payload on.
Saucer Shark Aeroshell and payload suspended by sling
Saucer Shark Aeroshell and payload suspended by sling
Saucer Shark Aeroshell and payload suspended by sling

USGS National Innovation Center UAS Research Center Saucer Shark Project, before science flight tests, Aeroshell and payload. Sling configuration and payload orientation verified before science flight deployment. Payload is on and ready to record!

USGS National Innovation Center UAS Research Center Saucer Shark Project, before science flight tests, Aeroshell and payload. Sling configuration and payload orientation verified before science flight deployment. Payload is on and ready to record!

BisonCore displays live map of magnetic data from Saucer Shark for decision making and live environment interpretation
BisonCore (MagEdition) displays live magnetic data (top) and lidar altitude (bottom)
BisonCore (MagEdition) displays live magnetic data (top) and lidar altitude (bottom)
BisonCore (MagEdition) displays live magnetic data (top) and lidar altitude (bottom)

USGS National Innovation Center UAS Research Center Saucer Shark Project, BisonCore displays the path of the sensor live, as it covers transects. Data received from the payload is then displayed within the BisonCore Ecosystem and is accessible for field viewing. The magnetic map is also used to validate payload directed algorithms.

USGS National Innovation Center UAS Research Center Saucer Shark Project, BisonCore displays the path of the sensor live, as it covers transects. Data received from the payload is then displayed within the BisonCore Ecosystem and is accessible for field viewing. The magnetic map is also used to validate payload directed algorithms.

USGS National Innovation Center UASRC Saucer Shark fully assembled and deployed below UAV ​
Saucer Shark Deployed Below UAV​
Saucer Shark Deployed Below UAV​
Saucer Shark Deployed Below UAV​

USGS National Innovation Center UAS Research Center (UASRC) Saucer Shark Project, during flight tests, fully assembled. Sub assemblies from top down: Drop Release, Sling and Sling Brace, Payload Aeroshell and Payload.​

USGS National Innovation Center UAS Research Center (UASRC) Saucer Shark Project, during flight tests, fully assembled. Sub assemblies from top down: Drop Release, Sling and Sling Brace, Payload Aeroshell and Payload.​

Saucer Shark on landing approach to landing pad. Aeroshell shown to be flying over California Hills.
Flying Saucer Shark Deployed over the skies of California
Flying Saucer Shark Deployed over the skies of California
Flying Saucer Shark Deployed over the skies of California

USGS National Innovation Center UAS Research Center Saucer Shark Project, during flight tests, aeroshell. Saucer Shark on landing approach after completed mission. Just above the landing pad.

USGS National Innovation Center UAS Research Center Saucer Shark Project, during flight tests, aeroshell. Saucer Shark on landing approach after completed mission. Just above the landing pad.

National Innovation Center UAS Research Center Saucer Shark drop lease sits on landing pad  in remote California.
Saucer Shark Drop Release during testing campaign
Saucer Shark Drop Release during testing campaign
Saucer Shark Drop Release during testing campaign

USGS National Innovation Center UAS Research Center Saucer Shark Project, during flight tests, drop release attached to USGS UAV. Aircraft sits on landing pad in-between test flights.

MRP USB VID
MRP USB VID
MRP USB VID
MRP USB VID

Mineral Resources Program (MRP) Digital Copy of Publications and Websites list USB with USGS VID. 

Mineral Resources Program (MRP) Digital Copy of Publications and Websites list USB with USGS VID. 

Photograph showing red-brown buttes of sedimentary rocks incised by the sediment-rich brown water of the Colorado River.
Grand_Canyon_20230908_Brennan.jpg
Grand_Canyon_20230908_Brennan.jpg
mine waste pile
Mine Waste, Butte Deposit, Montana
Mine Waste, Butte Deposit, Montana
Mine Waste, Butte Deposit, Montana

View from the floor of the Continental Mine (Continental Pit) facing an in-pit material dump to the west, Butte, Montana.

mine tailings pond
Mine Tailings Near Butte, MT
Mine Tailings Near Butte, MT
Mine Tailings Near Butte, MT

Edge of the Yankee Doodle Tailings Pond in Butte, Montana,  where the tailings slurry is piped into the pond. 

Edge of the Yankee Doodle Tailings Pond in Butte, Montana,  where the tailings slurry is piped into the pond. 

Image shows a map of the United States, including Alaska, Puerto Rico and Hawaii, with locations of mineral systems marked
Mineral Systems Map of the United States
Mineral Systems Map of the United States
Mineral Systems Map of the United States

Maps showing parts of 23 mineral systems that could host critical mineral resources in the United States.  These areas are used to prioritize data collection and analysis by Earth MRI.

Image shows a mountain landscape with trees and snow-covered peaks
Montana
Montana
Montana

A view of the Boulder Mountains from US-12 west of Helena. These mountains lie at the north end of the Boulder Batholith.

A view of the Boulder Mountains from US-12 west of Helena. These mountains lie at the north end of the Boulder Batholith.

logo for the Space Economy Workshop Series
Space Economy Workshop Series
Space Economy Workshop Series
Space Economy Workshop Series

NASA and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) welcome the community to a series of Space Economy Workshops intended to coordinate the development of new technologies to detect and assess off-world mineral resources, as well as to discuss the challenges and opportunities for an off-world mineral resource economy. 

NASA and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) welcome the community to a series of Space Economy Workshops intended to coordinate the development of new technologies to detect and assess off-world mineral resources, as well as to discuss the challenges and opportunities for an off-world mineral resource economy. 

Image shows a small aircraft at an airport with a stinger tail on it for the airborne geophysical data collection
Aircraft with Geophysical Survey Equipment
Aircraft with Geophysical Survey Equipment
Aircraft with Geophysical Survey Equipment

A typical survey airplane. The magnetic sensor is placed in an extension on the back of the airplane to reduce the impact of the airplane’s own magnetic field. 

Illinois River Basin low-level flight map overview
Illinois River Basin low-level flight overview
Illinois River Basin low-level flight overview
Illinois River Basin low-level flight overview

This map shows the airborne geophysical survey area and planned flight paths across the Illinois River Basin in Illinois and northwest Indiana. Surveys will not occur directly above populated areas. Planned flight lines and survey progress can be found online

(USGS map) 

This map shows the airborne geophysical survey area and planned flight paths across the Illinois River Basin in Illinois and northwest Indiana. Surveys will not occur directly above populated areas. Planned flight lines and survey progress can be found online

(USGS map) 

Image shows a detailed view of a rock with the tip of a pencil for scale
Pennington Mountain Rock with Critical Minerals
Pennington Mountain Rock with Critical Minerals
Pennington Mountain Rock with Critical Minerals

A fine-grained volcanic rock (trachyte) that hosts rare earth elements, niobium, and zirconium, all which are considered critical mineral resources. This rock was found on Pennington Mountain in Maine. Image courtesy of Chunzeng Wang, University of Maine-Presque Isle.

A fine-grained volcanic rock (trachyte) that hosts rare earth elements, niobium, and zirconium, all which are considered critical mineral resources. This rock was found on Pennington Mountain in Maine. Image courtesy of Chunzeng Wang, University of Maine-Presque Isle.

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