Chinese scientists have developed the most powerful spy camera in the world, capable of distinguishing human faces and even reading text on a smartphone screen from low Earth orbit, according to the South China Morning Post. This breakthrough technology is based on the principles of synthetic aperture radar, but operates on optical wavelengths instead of microwaves.
The camera can capture images with a resolution as fine as one millimeter from distances exceeding 100 kilometers, detecting details as small as 1.7 millimeters in diameter and determining object distances with an accuracy of 15.6 millimeters.
Experts from TechSpot and DT claim that this new technology provides a level of detail 100 times better than what current spy cameras and telescopes, which rely on lenses, can achieve. The development may potentially allow Beijing to study foreign military aircraft, bases, and even satellites with unparalleled precision, or to discern minute details such as human faces from low Earth orbit.
However, there are some limitations. The camera’s performance is hindered by atmospheric disturbances and clouds. Additionally, due to its low orbit, the satellite cannot stay operational for extended periods, and any sensitive operations can be hidden underground to evade detection.
This advanced technology highlights China’s growing capabilities in surveillance and the potential implications for global intelligence and military operations. It is also speculated that China may offer access to this espionage equipment in exchange for assistance in developing hypersonic, aviation, and nuclear technologies, possibly with Russia as a key partner in this technological exchange.
Details: https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3299346/chinese-scientists-build-worlds-most-powerful-spy-camera