Ab Astra Raises $2 Million
alejandroll10 · x · 2026-07-19
Startup Ab Astra, reported by EarlySignals, uses cosmic ray particles/muon tomography to "see through" deep underground, helping the mining industry locate lithium and shale deposits without drilling first.
Founded by two Brazilian physics classmates—one with 15 years of oil and gas field experience at YPF, the other bringing particle detection methods from the Pierre Auger cosmic ray observatory. Its LUMINA platform converts readings into continuous 4D density maps, acting as a passive alternative to seismic surveys to help drill targets more accurately. The company closed a $2 million pre-seed round in June 2026, led by Draper Cygnus with participation/anchoring from CITES.
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