TerraSpace
TerraSpace is a deep-tech company that deploys SmartScan, a multi-sensor fusion platform combining LIBS, Hyperspectral, and PFTNA/PGNAA modules with machine learning, to deliver on-site resource-grade mineral analysis for mining companies at the drill site.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2024
- HeadquartersAustin, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What TerraSpace does
TerraSpace Corporation is a private deep-tech company founded in 2024 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, that builds AI-powered sub-surface resource intelligence tools for the mining industry. The company targets mining operators ranging from major diversified miners to junior explorers that need faster mineral analysis to compress discovery-to-permit timelines, against the backdrop of U.S. critical mineral import dependence cited at 80% for rare earth elements in 2024 and 7–10 year domestic mine development cycles.
The company's sole commercial product is SmartScan v1, a multi-sensor fusion platform that integrates LIBS (Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy), Hyperspectral imaging, and PFTNA/PGNAA (Pulsed Fast Thermal Neutron Activation / Prompt Gamma Neutron Activation Analysis) sensor modules with machine learning neural networks. SmartScan is deployed as proprietary hardware at the drill site to deliver real-time, resource-grade mineral analysis of core samples, eliminating the need to ship samples to off-site laboratories. TerraSpace claims analysis turnaround in hours versus weeks for traditional assay workflows—a roughly 10x speed improvement—enabling drilling programs to adapt to results in near real time. R&D is supported by research partnerships with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Southwest Research Institute, the Texas Bureau of Economic Geology, and the Utah DNR Geological Survey, and the company is a participant in NVIDIA's Inception program.
TerraSpace operates an enterprise hardware-plus-software model, distributing SmartScan through direct field sales with a consultative "Request a Demo" engagement process. Disclosed commercial relationships include Rio Tinto, Resolution Copper, Chilean Cobalt Corp (La Cobaltera cobalt-copper pilot in northern Chile, announced July 2025), American Gilsonite Company, and Mithril Mining Corp. Geographic operations are anchored in the United States with an active Chile expansion. The company is small (1–10 employees), has not disclosed external funding rounds, and generates revenue through hardware sales of the SmartScan platform bundled with embedded AI/ML software. As of June 2026, former USGS Director and NASA astronaut Dr. James F. Reilly II serves as Senior Advisor, signaling intent to extend the technology toward space-based resource intelligence applications.
TerraSpace firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- TerraSpace
- Legal name
- TerraSpace Corporation
- Website
- https://terraspace.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2024
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- TerraSpace is a deep-tech company that deploys SmartScan, a multi-sensor fusion platform combining LIBS, Hyperspectral, and PFTNA/PGNAA modules with machine learning, to deliver on-site resource-grade mineral analysis for mining companies at the drill site.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
TerraSpace industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Mining Technology
- NAICS
- Support Activities for Metal Mining (213114), Support Activities for Mining (213)
- SIC
- Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Mining Machinery & Equip (No Oil & Gas Field Mach & Equip) (3532)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Mineral Exploration & Geoscience Services (Geology, Geophysics, Geochemistry, Resource Modeling) (IMAKAKAA)
Keywords
Where TerraSpace is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Austin
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
TerraSpace business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- SmartScan Platform (Hardware + Software): Revenue generated from deployment of proprietary SmartScan hardware and associated AI/ML software for on-site mineral analysis at mining operations. The platform enables real-time resource-grade mineral analysis at the mine site, replacing traditional off-site laboratory assay services.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels1 record
TerraSpace product offering
Product offeringCore offering
TerraSpace sells SmartScan, a proprietary hardware and AI platform deployed directly at mining drill sites. It fuses LIBS, Hyperspectral, and PFTNA/PGNAA sensor modules with machine learning neural networks to perform resource-grade mineral analysis on core samples in hours. The platform replaces weeks-long off-site laboratory assay workflows with on-site, real-time analysis for mining companies.
Product overview
TerraSpace offers a single unified product called SmartScan — a multi-sensor fusion platform that combines LIBS (Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy), Hyperspectral imaging, and PFTNA/PGNAA (Prompt Fission Neutron Activation / Prompt Gamma Neutron Activation) modules with machine learning and neural networks. The platform is designed to be deployed directly at mine sites, bringing laboratory-grade mineral analysis capabilities to the drill site for real-time core sample analysis.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SmartScan: A multi-sensor fusion platform that delivers on-site resource-grade mineral analysis in hours. Combines LIBS, Hyperspectral, and PFTNA/PGNAA sensor technologies with machine learning, neural networks, and AI to analyze core samples at the drill site.
Products and services
- SmartScan SmartScan is a proprietary hardware and AI platform deployed directly at mining drill sites. It fuses LIBS, Hyperspectral, and PFTNA/PGNAA sensor modules with machine learning neural networks to analyze core samples in real time, delivering resource-grade mineral analysis in hours rather than the weeks required by traditional off-site laboratory assays. It is sold to enterprise mining companies seeking faster on-site mineral analysis.
Quantifiable outcome
- 10x faster mineral analysis compared to traditional lab assay
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use TerraSpace
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
TerraSpace technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability1 record
Feature1 record
TerraSpace partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Oak Ridge National LaboratorycoreStrategic research partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory for advanced AI and sensor technology development.
- Southwest Research InstitutecoreCollaborative research partnership with Southwest Research Institute for technology development and validation.
- Rio TintocoreMajor mining company partnership for AI-powered resource intelligence deployment at Rio Tinto operations.
- Resolution CoppercorePartnership with Resolution Copper for AI-powered resource intelligence technologies at copper mining operations.
- Texas Bureau of Economic GeologyminorResearch and development partnership with Texas Bureau of Economic Geology for subsurface resource detection technology.
- Utah DNR Geological SurveyminorPartnership with Utah Department of Natural Resources Geological Survey for geological data and resource analysis.
- Chilean Cobalt CorpcoreAI-driven exploration pilot program collaboration at La Cobaltera cobalt-copper project in northern Chile, announced July 2025.
- Mithril Mining CorpminorPartnership with Mithril Mining Corp for AI-powered resource intelligence technologies.
- American Gilsonite CompanyminorPartnership with American Gilsonite Company for resource intelligence at gilsonite mining operations.
- Capital FactoryminorHouston-based startup accelerator partnership providing access to capital, mentorship, and enterprise connections in the Texas market.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
TerraSpace competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Bruker: Bruker manufactures X-ray fluorescence (XRF), LIBS, and neutron-based analytical instruments used in mining, metals, and minerals labs. Comparable to TerraSpace because it sells the underlying sensor technologies (LIBS, neutron activation) that TerraSpace fuses together, but as a much larger analytical instrument incumbent.
- SGS: SGS operates a global network of mineral testing and assay laboratories serving the mining industry. Comparable to TerraSpace as the centralized, off-site lab incumbent that the SmartScan platform is positioned against on speed and turnaround.
- Evident (formerly Olympus Scientific Solutions): Evident sells portable XRF and LIBS analyzers widely used in mining for on-site elemental analysis. Comparable to TerraSpace because it addresses the on-site mineral analysis use case, though its instruments are handheld/portable rather than multi-sensor fusion drill-site platforms.
- Thermo Fisher Scientific: Thermo Fisher provides a broad portfolio of analytical instruments and laboratory services for mining and materials characterization. Comparable to TerraSpace as an incumbent supplier of analytical instrumentation and assay-relevant technology to the mining sector, though with a vastly wider product portfolio.
- ALS Limited: ALS is one of the world's largest third-party mineral assay and geochemistry laboratory service providers. Directly comparable to TerraSpace because it is the incumbent that TerraSpace's 'on-site SmartScan' platform is disrupting, providing the centralized lab assay services TerraSpace aims to replace.
Direct peers
- Corescan: Corescan provides hyperspectral mineralogy services and core-scanning solutions for the mining industry. Directly comparable to TerraSpace because it offers automated mineralogical analysis for drill core, addressing the same assay-bottleneck pain point from a hyperspectral imaging angle.
Emerging players
- Mineral Forecast: Mineral Forecast applies AI and machine learning to mineral prospectivity and exploration targeting. Directly comparable to TerraSpace as a co-pilot on the La Cobaltera cobalt-copper project with Chilean Cobalt Corp, addressing adjacent (data-driven targeting) rather than direct-sensing steps in the mineral exploration workflow.
- Seequent (Bentley Subsurface): Seequent offers geoscience analysis, geological modeling, and resource estimation software (Leapfrog) widely used by mining majors. Comparable to TerraSpace because its resource-estimation output is the customer-facing artifact that SmartScan's faster drill-site mineralogy data feeds into.
- Maptek: Maptek provides 3D geological modeling, mine planning, and resource estimation software for the mining industry. Comparable to TerraSpace because it serves the downstream resource-estimation workflow that SmartScan's faster, on-site mineralogy feeds into.
- MinersAI: MinersAI provides AI-driven mineral exploration and resource analysis tools. Comparable to TerraSpace as a co-participant in the Chilean Cobalt Corp pilot program, also applying machine learning to mining and critical mineral discovery workflows.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
TerraSpace social profiles
Digital presenceTerraSpace financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
TerraSpace leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
TerraSpace funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
TerraSpace M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about TerraSpace
What does TerraSpace do?
TerraSpace sells SmartScan, a proprietary hardware and AI platform deployed directly at mining drill sites. It fuses LIBS, Hyperspectral, and PFTNA/PGNAA sensor modules with machine learning neural networks to perform resource-grade mineral analysis on core samples in hours. The platform replaces weeks-long off-site laboratory assay workflows with on-site, real-time analysis for mining companies.
Is TerraSpace a public or private company?
TerraSpace is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was TerraSpace founded?
TerraSpace was founded in 2024. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is TerraSpace based?
TerraSpace is headquartered in Austin, United States, in the North America region.
How does TerraSpace make money?
One revenue line is on record: smartScan Platform (Hardware + Software).
Who are TerraSpace's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Bruker, SGS, Evident (formerly Olympus Scientific Solutions), Thermo Fisher Scientific and ALS Limited. Corescan is listed as a direct peer. Emerging players are Mineral Forecast, Seequent (Bentley Subsurface), Maptek and MinersAI.
Does TerraSpace have an API?
No public API is recorded for TerraSpace.
What industry is TerraSpace in?
TerraSpace's product category is Mining Technology. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAKAKAA, Mineral Exploration & Geoscience Services (Geology, Geophysics, Geochemistry, Resource Modeling). Its NAICS code is 213114 and its SIC code is 8734.