China develops laser camera capable of identifying faces at 100 km

China has taken a further step in the development of surveillance technologies with the creation of a High precision laser camera, capable of capturing images at a distance greater than 100 km. This innovative system has the potential to change the way the long distance observation, from scientific applications to military and security uses.

Researchers from Aerospace Information Research Institute from the Chinese Academy of Sciences have developed a system based on laser technology that, unlike traditional optical cameras, does not depend on conventional lenses. Thanks to this, it can offer an unprecedented resolution, even allowing the identification of human faces at extreme distances.

The test at Qinghai Lake

To demonstrate the effectiveness of this system, scientists conducted tests on the Qinghai Lake, located in northwest China. From one of its banks, the device pointed to a set of reflective prisms located 101,8 km distanceThe result was impressive: the camera was able to capture details as small as 1,7 mm, something unattainable for traditional systems.

The system not only provides sharp images at long distances, but also can measure distances with an accuracy of 15,6 mm. This level of detail is up to 100 times better that of conventional spy cameras and traditional telescopes, offering an unprecedented advance in long-range imaging.

How this new technology works

The secret behind this system lies in the use of a synthetic aperture lidar, a technology that allows images to be obtained using a laser instead of optical lenses. To improve its precision, the researchers divided the laser beam in a 4x4 microlens array. This increased the optical aperture of the system 17,2 mm to 68,8 mm, which expanded the field of view without sacrificing quality.

In addition, the system incorporates a laser module that emits signals with frequencies greater than 10 gigahertz. Thanks to this innovation, extremely precise resolution is achieved, allowing the identification of small objects and even details in satellites from Earth.

Applications and limitations

This technological advance could change the way in which they are carried out intelligence and surveillance operationsWith unparalleled observation capabilities, the system could be used to monitor low-orbiting satellites, identify structures and analyze details of critical infrastructures over long distances.

However, technology still has some important limitations. One of the main challenges is the dependence on the meteorological conditions. The presence of clouds, sudden changes in the wind or air pollution can affect the quality of the imagesFurthermore, tracking moving objects at these distances represents a logistical and mechanical challenge that remains to be solved.

Despite the challenges, this development represents A milestone in remote sensing and in the evolution of surveillance and reconnaissance technologies.