HOPE mine detector - the experimental sensor head used for tests. The two grey boxes close to the pole contain the GPR antennas, while the third grey box above, contains the microwave radiometer antenna. On the floor, protected by green plastic material, are the magnetic coils of the metal detector. A relatively large anti-personnel mine is shown in front of the sensor head. The land-mine detector developed under the EU Handheld Operational Demining System (HOPE) project aims to detect any kind of anti-personnel mine in any kind of terrain. To do this it uses three different types of detector: ground penetration radar, a microwave radiometer and the classic metal detector. The technology used by the ground penetration radar is a spin-off from technology developed for two ESA-funded projects for space exploration. It will enable the mine detector to ‘see’ even the plastic mines that conventional metal detectors ignore. Photo: RST