Chinese scientists have developed new cameras based on laser technology that can capture images with millimeter resolution at distances of more than 100 kilometers. The breakthrough, which is part of a satellite system, represents a 100-fold improvement in performance over existing spy cameras and traditional telescopes, according to a report in the journal Science and Technology. the report published by the South China Morning Post.

In addition to its wide range of possible applications, this technology enables unprecedented precision in tracking foreign satellites. Scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, working at the Institute of Space Information Research, published their findings in the magazine "Chinese Journal of Lasers".

Chinese researchers tested this technology on Lake Qinghai, in the northwest of the country, using a system based on a type of laser radar (SAL), which allows the capture of two-dimensional and three-dimensional images.

SAL uses the satellite's motion to generate higher resolution images than traditional scanning beam radar systems, writes "Live Science".

During the experiment, the system was aimed at a series of reflective prisms placed at a distance of 101,8 kilometers, successfully detecting details as small as 1,7 millimeters, while the accuracy of the distance measurement was 15,6 millimeters.

This represents a huge technological advance over previous results, such as an experiment conducted in 2011 by the American company Lockheed Martin, where a resolution of two centimeters was achieved, but at a distance of only 1,6 kilometers. Also, in previous Chinese tests, a resolution of five centimeters was achieved at a distance of 6,9 kilometers.

It is important to note that the tests were conducted under ideal weather and atmospheric conditions, with steady winds and minimal cloud cover. Bad weather or reduced visibility could significantly impact the accuracy and reliability of this system.