NASA Tech for Other Planets Could Save Lives on Earth

Finding a needle in a haystack would be a lot easier if you knew exactly where to look. And when humans are the needle in a pile of rubble, the stakes are much higher.

During those crucial early minutes and hours in the aftermath of a disaster, first responders must dig, often aimlessly, through piles of debris to search for survivors. NASA and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security are working together on a portable device that can detect heartbeats and breathing patterns of trapped victims

The technology, called Finding Individuals for Disaster and Emergency Response (FINDER), is in its prototype phase, and it can locate people buried as deep as 30 feet, according to NASA. Read more...