How Radar Technology Can Aid in the Search for Extraterrestrial Life

The Institute of Microwaves and Photonics (LHFT) offers insights into modern radar and lidar technology for exploring our Solar System and searching for life beyond Earth. The primary focus is on detecting water in or beneath thick ice layers on planets like Mars or ice-covered moons such as Europa or Enceladus. Visitors of all ages can learn about ground-based and drone-based systems, which we test extensively not only in the LHFT lab but also during field tests on high alpine glaciers. This allows us to gain exclusive insights into areas of our world hidden that are normally concealed. At the same time, our measurements on glacier ice provide valuable knowledge about the glacier's behavior and structure, contributing significantly to climate research.