Chinese Scientists Develop World's Most Powerful Spy Camera

Chinese scientists have made a significant advancement in optical imaging technology by developing a powerful laser system that enables ultra-high-resolution imaging from distances over 100 kilometers. This breakthrough, achieved by a team from the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Aerospace Information Research Institute, could allow for unprecedented surveillance capabilities, including the ability to discern details as small as a human face from low-Earth orbit. The technology utilizes a synthetic aperture lidar system, which was tested across Qinghai Lake and demonstrated 100 times the resolution of conventional spy cameras. The system's capabilities include achieving millimeter-level resolution and measuring distances with remarkable accuracy. This development raises concerns about enhanced surveillance capabilities, particularly regarding foreign military satellites. The findings were published in the peer-reviewed Chinese Journal of Lasers, highlighting the technological innovations that made this achievement possible.