FINDERs keepers: Technology developed
for outer space is saving lives on Earth
By Nicole Solomon
When natural disasters topple buildings,
search and rescue teams immediately set
to work freeing victims trapped beneath
the wreckage. Speed is of the essence. The
sooner victims are located, the greater the
chance of a successful rescue.
The Department of Homeland Security
and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory have
developed a new radar-based technology
dubbed “Finding Individuals for Disaster
and Emergency Response” (FINDER), to aid
in detecting victims buried in rubble.
FINDER is based on the technology
NASA’s Deep Space Network uses to
monitor the movements and
location of its spacecraft
millions of miles away.
“FINDER is bringing
NASA technology that
explores other planets to
the effort to save lives on
ours,” said Mason Peck,
chief technologist for
NASA and principal advisor
on technology policy and
programs. “This is a prime
example of intergovernmental
collaboration and expertise that has a
direct benefit to the American taxpayer.”
The state-of-the-art device uses lowpower microwave radar waves to detect
the heartbeat or breathing of victims, even
through 30 feet of concrete and steel.
FINDER can locate people in the wreckage
even if they are unconscious. Best of all,