[http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2011/10/antenna.jpg](http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/help-for-the-lost-a-fabric-antenna-to-keep-you-from-being-a-cas/)
Doesn't look like much, does it? But the next time you're [lost at sea](http://www.engadget.com/2004/04/15/the-garmin-marine-network-how-not-to-get-lost-at-sea/), you just might be thankful you've got it. That little square of fabric is actually a flexible antenna designed for the Cospas-Sarsat distress signal network, a [Cold War](http://www.engadget.com/tag/ColdWar/)-era system built to help pinpoint missing ships, planes and people. Designed to be sewn into a life vest, the antenna broadcasts an emergency beacon at a low frequency for greater range; in field tests, that helped rescuers find it within minutes. It's also tear- and water-resistant, which you'll be grateful for when you're being tossed around like a ragdoll in a sea of whitecaps. The technology was developed by the [European Space Agency](http://www.engadget.com/tag/EuropeanSpaceAgency/) in partnership with a Finnish company. Next on their agenda? A round, floating companion for the marooned, codenamed Wilson.
Help for the lost: a fabric antenna to keep you from being a castaway originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 21:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/post_label_VIA.gif
Gizmag |
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/post_label_source.gif
Popular Science, European Space Agency | Email this | Comments