TerraSpace is an AI and sensor-fusion company that transforms mineral analysis for the mining industry by providing rapid, on-site core sample assay through its proprietary SmartScan platform. By combining LIBS, Hyperspectral, RGB, and PFTNA sensors with proprietary machine learning algorithms, TerraSpace delivers assay results in hours to days rather than the common months long lead time that is industry-standard, enabling mines to make near real-time drilling decisions. Beyond terrestrial mining, TerraSpace is developing capabilities for the Lunar environment, targeting the first full-spectrum in-situ subsurface mineral analysis on the Moon in partnership with lunar landing companies that are part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program. The company holds LOIs with 5 mines representing a $33M/year pipeline and has recently completed a pilot project in March 2026.
See something off about this company?
Eric Sundby
founder
landerson
other
Mineral analysis for mine sites currently takes an average of 3 months, is conducted off-site through a complex, costly process, and creates significant backlogs of unanalyzed core samples. This long lead time prevents drilling programs from adapting to real-time results, artificially limiting sub-surface intelligence and operational efficiency.
TerraSpace's SmartScan platform fuses multiple sensors (LIBS, HSI, RGB, PFTNA) with proprietary machine learning algorithms to deliver on-site mineral assays in days — a 100-fold improvement in turnaround time at a 20% cost savings. The portable system includes a user-friendly software terminal with geophysical mapping, integration with USGS Earth MRI satellite imagery, and Google Earth visualization, enabling mines to make data-driven decisions in near real-time.
TerraSpace completed a pilot project in March 2026 and holds Letters of Intent (LOIs) with 5 mines representing a $33M/year pipeline. The company is partnered with Nvidia's Inception Program, has partnerships for DOE ARPA-E funding opportunities in 2026, and is pursuing direct funding opportunities for domestic exploration campaigns with the federal government.
AP News · Jun 3, 2026
Former NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Director to advise TerraSpace on mission strategy, technology development, and commercial space growth

www.miningmagazine.com · Aug 13, 2025
In mining press releases, the acronym

Federal Newswire · Dec 13, 2023

SpaceNews · Dec 13, 2023
A House hearing on space mining turned into a partisan debate about the viability of the nascent field and the jurisdiction of the committee to examine it.
We’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Laurie Leshin, former Director of NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and current University Professor of Space Futures at Arizona State University, as Senior Advisor to TerraSpace.
Her experience leading complex scientific and exploration programs, and her leadership in geochemistry, planetary exploration, and advanced technology will help guide our mission to unlock subsurface resource intelligence on Earth and beyond.
Press Announcement: https://www.einpresswire.com/article/916871865/former-nasa-jpl-director-laurie-leshin-joins-terraspace-as-senior-advisor