The HOPE mine detector’s sensor systems

HOPE is a three-sensor system innovative mine detector. It first uses a classical metal detector to locate potential mines and then, once a possible landmine is located, HOPE’s two additional sensors come into operation: the ground penetration radar (GPR) and the radiometer. The GPR was originally developed for space exploration. This prototype version used in Bosnia includes a newly developed dual-metal coil with a metal detector (seen near the ground) above which the ground penetration radar and the radiometer (the two slim boxes) are located. On this version there is also a positioning system providing very precise reference data to be used in the evaluation of the measurement results (mounted camera with metre stick on ground). The Handheld Operational Demining System (HOPE) project is part of the European Union’s efforts to support humanitarian demining operations. ESA assists these efforts under its Technology Transfer Programme, which supports the use of space technology in non-space fields. Photo: P.Nielsen