World
India
Chinese scientists have developed the world’s most advanced spy camera, capable of identifying individual faces from low-Earth orbit. The groundbreaking technology, created by researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Aerospace Information Research Institute, has the potential to revolutionize global surveillance with its unprecedented precision.
The optical imaging system can capture images with millimetre-level resolution from a distance of 100 kilometres (62 miles). This sets a new benchmark in surveillance capabilities, surpassing existing technologies significantly.
Surpassing Conventional Spy Cameras
The breakthrough, first reported by the South China Morning Post, suggests that the technology could allow Beijing to monitor foreign military satellites and ground-based defence structures with unparalleled detail.
Unlike conventional spy cameras that rely on lenses, this new system utilizes laser-imaging technology, which enhances resolution by a factor of 100 compared to leading surveillance cameras. A 2011 test conducted by Lockheed Martin in the United States achieved a resolution of 2cm from a distance of 1.6km. By contrast, when tested over a 101.8km stretch of Qinghai Lake in northwest China, the Chinese-developed camera captured details as small as 1.7mm across on the far side of the lake.
Challenges in Practical Deployment of New Spy Camera
While the technology demonstrates remarkable precision, scientists acknowledged that real-world applications might face limitations due to environmental factors. The test across Qinghai Lake occurred under near-perfect weather conditions. “Poor weather or even light cloud cover could impact the accuracy of the camera,” the researchers noted.
Satellites operating in low-Earth orbit typically function at altitudes ranging from 170km to 800km, meaning atmospheric conditions could play a crucial role in determining the camera’s effectiveness in space.
Details of the new spy camera were published in a study titled Synthetic aperture lidar achieves millimetre-level azimuth resolution imaging at a distance of 100 kilometres for the first time, featured in the Chinese Journal of Lasers.
The development has drawn comparisons to similar advancements in the United States. American satellite imaging startup Albedo Space is also working on high-resolution imaging technology capable of zooming in on individual humans. However, the company has stated that its system will not support facial recognition.
Growing Concerns Over Privacy and Security
Despite these assurances, privacy advocates have expressed concerns over the expanding capabilities of surveillance technology. In 2019, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) warned about the implications of real-time, high-resolution satellite surveillance. “With the advent of real-time video, private satellites could subject the entire world to continuous 24/7 surveillance,” the group cautioned, calling for regulatory oversight.
Albedo Space has already secured multiple defence contracts with the U.S. government, further fueling debates over the ethical and security implications of advanced spy cameras. As countries continue to invest in high-resolution satellite surveillance, discussions on privacy, civil liberties, and international regulations are likely to intensify.
Also Read: Italian Scientists ‘Freeze’ Light In Quantum Discovery: Here’s What You Need To Know
