China researches high resolution imaging from high orbit

Beijing, Sep 1 (IANS) Chinese researchers are developing high resolution imaging that can see car-sized objects on the earth from high orbit.

Researchers at the Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics (CIOMP) are, with significant government support, studying camera technologies suited for satellites 36,000 km away from earth, Xinhua news agency reported on Thursday.

The CIOMP plan aims to achieve an optical resolution of 2.5 metres for the camera, equivalent of seeing a hair clearly from 800 metres away.

China already has high-resolution imaging in space, but at a lower orbit where the satellites constantly move around the earth and can take only snapshots of the earth as they move.

Based on its considerable experience in the area, CIOMP is confident of completing the research by the end of 2020, said CIOMP deputy head Zhang Xuejun.