The Chinese Academy of Sciences has achieved a breakthrough in optical imaging technology – scientists from the Aerospace Information Research Institute have created an innovative lidar system capable of distinguishing the smallest details from an unprecedented height, "MIR 24" reports with reference to Lasers.
The new development is an advanced wide-field synthetic aperture laser imaging system. The device was tested in ideal weather conditions at Qinghai Lake, where the camera was installed on the northern shore, pointing at reflective prisms at a distance of 101,8 kilometers.
The system demonstrated the ability to distinguish objects as small as 1,7 millimeters and determine their distance with an error of 15,6 millimeters. These figures are 100 times greater than the capabilities of modern telescopes.
Experts note that this technology can set new standards in the field of observation from near-Earth orbit. The achieved shooting accuracy, previously considered impossible, opens up new prospects for the development of remote observation systems.
