Former U.S. Geological Survey Director and NASA Astronaut James Reilly joins TerraSpace as Senior Advisor

Former NASA astronaut, geologist, and USGS Director joins TerraSpace to advise on critical minerals, exploration technology, and space resources strategy

AUSTIN, TX, UNITED STATES, June 8, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- TerraSpace, a company developing artificial intelligence-enabled resource intelligence systems for exploration and development of critical minerals and resources on Earth and in space, today announced that Dr. James F. Reilly II, former Director of the U.S. Geological Survey, former NASA astronaut, and career exploration geologist, has joined the company as a Senior Advisor.

Dr. Reilly brings decades of experience spanning geology, spaceflight, government leadership, exploration science, and management of national Earth systems and space programs. He served as Director of the U.S. Geological Survey from 2018 to 2021 and previously flew on three NASA Space Shuttle missions, conducting five spacewalks, working on the Russian Mir space station, assisting in the construction of the ISS, and logging more than 856 hours in space. Prior to NASA, Dr. Reilly worked as an exploration geologist and rose to Chief Geologist of the Offshore Region at Enserch Exploration.

“Jim’s career sits exactly at the intersection TerraSpace was built to serve: terrestrial geologic exploration, the exploration and characterization of resources on Earth and in space, and its contribution to national resource security,” said Eric Sundby, Co-Founder and CEO of TerraSpace. “As critical minerals become central to economic resilience, defense readiness, and the future space economy, TerraSpace is building tools that can dramatically accelerate how industry and government understand the subsurface. Jim’s guidance will be invaluable as we scale our technology and deepen our work across terrestrial and off-planet resource exploration.”

TerraSpace’s SmartScan platform provides on-site analysis of geologic samples by fusing multiple sensors, using proprietary algorithms to deliver rapid subsurface intelligence. The company’s technology enables it to characterize subsurface resources at lower cost and in a faster timeframe than traditional lab-based methods.

“TerraSpace is approaching exploration with the kind of integrated sensing and data-driven analysis that can materially improve how we identify and develop critical resources,” said Dr. James Reilly. “I’m excited to advise the team as they bring together geology, artificial intelligence, and space-enabled thinking to address one of the most important industrial and strategic challenges of the coming decade.”

The appointment strengthens TerraSpace’s advisory bench as the company advances its mission to provide resource intelligence at speed and scale. TerraSpace’s terrestrial technology applications are focused on reducing the long delays associated with traditional off-site mineral analysis, enabling operators to make faster drilling, exploration, and development decisions.

Dr. Reilly serves TerraSpace as a Senior Advisor alongside a growing team of leaders and experts who are critical in developing novel solutions for mining and space exploration.

About TerraSpace
TerraSpace develops AI-powered subsurface resource intelligence systems that help identify and evaluate mineral and resource opportunities at the mine site. The company’s SmartScan system combines machine learning, data analysis, and geospatial intelligence to improve the process of resource discovery on Earth, with a long-term vision of supporting future space exploration and off-world resource development.
For more information, visit https://terraspace.com/.

Rhonda Sheya
TerraSpace
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