China claims its laser spy camera is 100 times sharper than US tech

Chinese scientists have made a major leap in optical imaging with a new laser technology capable of capturing ultra-high-resolution images over vast distances.

The powerful system could redefine global surveillance capabilities, potentially enabling Beijing to observe foreign military satellites in unprecedented detail or even identify human faces from low-Earth orbit.

A team from the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Aerospace Information Research Institute has demonstrated millimeter-level resolution from distances exceeding 100 km (62 miles). This milestone, once thought unattainable, was detailed in the new study.

Successful test at Qinghai Lake

The team conducted a test across Qinghai Lake, an alpine water body in China’s northwest. Using an advanced synthetic aperture lidar system—a laser-based imaging technology with a broad field of vision—the researchers achieved exceptional clarity in their imaging, as reported by the South China Morning Post.

Positioned on the lake’s northern shore, the device targeted an array of reflective prisms placed 101.8km (63.3 miles) away. The trial benefited from optimal atmospheric conditions, with clear skies, minimal cloud cover, and stable wind.

The system detected details as small as 1.7mm (1/16 inch) and measured distances with an accuracy of 15.6mm (5/8 inch). This performance is 100 times better than current spy cameras and telescopes relying on traditional lenses.

To achieve this, the scientists employed several technological innovations. By splitting the laser beam across a 4×4 micro-lens array, they expanded the system’s optical aperture from 17.2mm (0.68 inches) to 68.8mm (2.71 inches), overcoming the usual trade-off between aperture size and field of view.

They also used a specialized laser module to send signals with frequencies beyond 10 gigahertz. This provided fine range resolution, allowing precise distance measurements. At the same time, a narrow color spectrum was maintained to enhance azimuth resolution, which improves horizontal detail detection.

Implications for surveillance and space observation

The system’s capabilities mark a significant advance in long-range imaging. Led by Fan Zhongwei, director of the institute’s laser engineering center, the team leveraged expertise in coherent optics, array photonics, and signal processing to refine the technology, according to the report.

“This isn’t just about seeing a satellite – it’s about reading its serial numbers,” said a Beijing-based imaging scientist.

The 103-watt laser is significantly more powerful than standard lidar systems and is supported by real-time digital processing to handle vast amounts of data.

Unlike traditional microwave-based synthetic aperture radar, this system operates at optical wavelengths, producing much sharper images. China’s progress in extreme-range imaging surpasses past achievements by major defense contractors.

In 2011, Lockheed Martin achieved an azimuth resolution of 2cm (0.8 inches) from 1.6km (1 mile) away, while Chinese researchers later recorded a 5cm (2-inch) resolution at 6.9km (4.3 miles). Now, China has achieved imaging from 100km (62 miles) away, a crucial benchmark given atmospheric interference at that altitude.

“At these resolutions, you could detect micrometeoroid damage on solar panels or identify specific sensor payloads,” the scientist added.

Despite the breakthrough, challenges remain. The quality of laser imaging depends heavily on weather conditions, and tracking moving targets over such long distances requires extreme mechanical precision.

These hurdles must be addressed before the technology can be deployed for practical applications in surveillance, space observation, or military intelligence.

The study was published in the peer-reviewed Chinese Journal of Lasers.