The Elements of Innovation Discovered

Quantum leap in mineral exploration tech

Metal Tech News - June 18, 2025

Fleet Space teams up with quantum, muon tech innovators to enhance AI-powered discovery platform.

In its continued push to revolutionize mineral exploration on Earth – and eventually beyond – Fleet Space Technologies has formed alliances with three Australian innovators harnessing the power of quantum mechanics and cosmic-ray muons to sharpen the precision, speed, and efficiency of its satellite-enabled and AI-driven exploration platform.

Fleet Space's ExoSphere platform applies 21st-century technologies to geophysical methods long used by geologists to map Earth's subsurface in search of mineral deposits. Similar to X-rays or MRI scans that provide physicians with a look inside the body, geophysical scans provide 3D images of buried rock formations that could be enriched with minerals.

The company leverages its proprietary constellation of low-Earth orbit (LEO) nanosatellites, edge computing, and artificial intelligence to dramatically increase the speed and precision of mineral exploration while minimizing environmental impact.

This modern upgrade to underground imaging has attracted the attention of mining majors Barrick Mining, BHP, Ma'aden, and Rio Tinto, which are using ExoSphere to accelerate and enhance mineral exploration at projects around the world.

Now, Fleet Space is working to upgrade ExoSphere with cutting-edge imaging techniques developed by fellow Australian companies.

"With our ExoSphere platform, Fleet Space has created the next-generation of satellite-connected geophysical methods while also investing in the development of frontier technologies like quantum gravimetry and muon tomography to enhance the predictive power of AI in exploration on a planetary scale," said Fleet Space Technologies CEO Flavia Tata Nardini. "Pursuing this mission is critical so humanity doesn't have to accept trade-offs between technological innovation, clean energy, and venturing deeper into our solar system."

Fleet Space Technologies

Fleet Space's LEO satellites relay geophysical data transmitted from ground-based sensors for nearly real-time 3D mapping of mineral systems.

Sophisticated geophysics

While some geophysical techniques involve measuring the response of transmitted signals to characterize the underground geology, Fleet Space relies on passive geophysical methods that measure naturally occurring signals to produce 3D images of subsurface rock formations.

Ambient noise tomography (ANT), a passive form of seismic surveying that utilizes the Earth's natural background vibrations, was the original geophysical method employed by the ExoSphere platform.

Fleet Space has recently added gravity surveys, which measure variations in Earth's gravitational field caused by differences in rock density to pinpoint heavier rock formations that may be laden with metals.

ExoSphere says the combination of ANT and gravity provides geoscientists with a multidimensional view of subsurface structures, allowing for a clearer differentiation of rock types.

Now, Fleet Space has partnered with a trio of Australian tech companies – mDetect, Nomad Atomics, and DeteQt – that have developed sophisticated geophysical techniques that leverage cosmic rays and quantum mechanics to provide a clearer picture of what lies below the surface of Earth and its celestial neighbors.

The state-of-the-art geophysical technologies developed by each company have the potential to strengthen the ExoSphere platform:

mDetect – Muon Tomography for Deep Subsurface Imaging: mDetect harnesses the power of cosmic particles known as muons to perform passive, high-resolution tomography of the deep subsurface. Unlike traditional active geophysics, muon tomography uses naturally occurring muons to detect subtle variations in density, allowing for the visualization of geological structures beneath hundreds of meters of cover. This allows mineral explorers to "see" through barren overburden or volcanic sequences without the cost or environmental impact of deep drilling. When integrated with Fleet Space's ExoSphere platform, mDetect's deep density data can act as a foundational layer to improve the accuracy of AI-driven subsurface models, especially for targeting deep-seated deposits that lie beyond the reach of conventional magnetotellurics and gravity geophysical surveys.

Nomad Atomics – Quantum Gravimetry in the Field: Nomad Atomics has developed rugged, field-deployable quantum gravimeters and accelerometers that leverage atomic physics to eliminate drift – changes in readings due to temperature fluctuations, noise, or material aging – to deliver stable and exact measurements. This precision enables the detection of subtle subsurface features that would otherwise be lost in noise using classical gravimetry. By eliminating drift – a common issue with traditional sensors – Nomad's instruments allow for repeatable, real-time data acquisition in the field. Their integration with Fleet Space's ExoSphere sensors offers a powerful synergy and allows AI models to better discriminate between conductive fluids and solid ore bodies.

DeteQt – Quantum Diamond Magnetometry at Scale: DeteQt is revolutionizing geophysics with its patented diamond-based quantum magnetometers that detect vector magnetic fields with extremely high sensitivity. Unlike traditional magnetometers, DeteQt's sensors use nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamonds to provide quantum-level resolution in a robust, miniaturized package. These magnetometers are uniquely suited for integration into lightweight, autonomous arrays. When paired with ExoSphere's real-time magnetotelluric data acquisition, DeteQt's magnetometers can enhance the spatial and directional resolution of subsurface conductivity models, enabling near real-time adaptive geophysical surveys with minimal environmental footprint.

"By partnering with global leaders in quantum gravimetry and magnetometry, we're bringing laboratory-grade precision into a hand-held package. These sensors deliver extreme precision and stability in the field, letting crews collect higher-fidelity gravity and magnetic data with fewer stations, lighter logistics, and far simpler CONOPS [concepts of operations]," said Fleet Space Technologies Chief Scientist Gerrit Olivier. "When we fuse these quantum measurements with passive muon tomography, seismic imaging, and conventional gravity data inside our joint-inversion framework, we obtain an unprecedented 3D picture of the subsurface, from regional reconnaissance right down to drill-ready targets."

Fleet Space Technologies

Fleet Space gravity sensors will be used to search for buried water, minerals, and other resources on the Moon.

While discovering deposits of the metals needed for clean energy, high technology, and everyday living on Earth is the initial target of the expanded mineral exploration platform being assimilated by Fleet Space, the company is also looking forward to applying its expanded geophysical array to the exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

"The same toolkit is being readied for off-planet prospecting," Olivier added. "Compact quantum sensors and muon detectors will fly on upcoming asteroid-scout missions, allowing humanity to map the interior structure and resource potential of metal-rich bodies that were impossible to reach until recently. Whether on Earth or in deep space, the combination of high-fidelity physics and continuously learning AI is redefining how quickly and sustainably we can locate the critical minerals that power the global energy transition."

Author Bio

Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News

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With more than 17 years of covering mining, Shane is renowned for his insights and in-depth analysis of mining, mineral exploration, and technology metals.

 
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