Overview
NASA has provided early-stage funding for a concept known as Slingshot, which seeks to demonstrate novel approaches for mineral mapping on various solar system bodies.
The funded effort aims to test technologies capable of determining surface composition with high precision by analysing reflected light across multiple wavelengths. Such spectroscopic methods could be applied to the Moon, asteroids and the moons of Mars.
The spacecraft would carry sensors during flybys or orbital periods to capture spectral signatures, allowing identification of minerals that reveal information about the target’s geological history.
Because the concept is still in a preliminary stage, no specifics regarding launch dates, launch vehicles or detailed mission profiles have been released. The funding primarily supports feasibility studies and the development of prototype instruments.
If the Slingshot approach proves viable, it could serve as a foundation for future exploration missions focused on resource prospecting or improving our understanding of solar system formation.