Latest news with #AerospaceInformationResearchInstitute
The Star
25-04-2025
- Science
- The Star
China strengthens space technology cooperation with Global South nations
BEIJING (Xinhua): In the second week of April, Lusaka became a hub of agricultural innovation as technicians from Southern African countries gathered for a unique three-day training session. Unlike typical workshops, this one provided a customized experience. Participants brought data from their own countries and practiced on the satellite remote sensing agricultural monitoring platform developed by Chinese scientists, tailoring their learning to fit local needs. This exemplified China's increasing collaboration with Global South countries in space technology -- not merely through memorandums or broad agreements, but by translating cutting-edge innovation into tangible, real-world applications. CALLING EARTH The platform they learned is CropWatch, a cloud-based tool developed by the Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIR) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It analyzes agroclimatic conditions, assesses crop growth status, tracks the dynamics of cropland use, estimates crop areas, predicts yields, and evaluates global food supply prospects. "Food security is increasingly a global priority, but establishing satellite-based platforms for agriculture monitoring requires significant investment, which most developing countries simply cannot afford," said Zhang Miao, a workshop trainer from the AIR. He had just flown back from Lusaka when interviewed by Xinhua. Unlike the traditional Western approach of delivering ready-made crop-related information and reports, the Chinese team has embraced a collaborative model with Global South countries -- "teaching a man to fish" by empowering them through knowledge transfer and platform self-customization. Over 30 participants from Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mauritius and South Africa received one-on-one guidance in the training. "A customized approach acknowledges the specific context and challenges faced by Mozambicans," said Hiten Jantilal, an officer of the Crops and Early Warning Department in Mozambique. "This method can lead to more effective learning and better outcomes." "Africa's cropping system is quite different from China, especially the small-holder farming, with issues like widespread weeds and common mixed cropping," said Zhang. "Our platform has proven effective in addressing these challenges." The AIR team has incorporated advanced AI models, including DeepSeek and ChatGPT, into the mobile APPs and a CropWatch Analysis component. This upgrade enables more intelligent interpretation of in situ crop photos and remote sensing maps and products, significantly enhancing the precision and efficiency of satellite data analysis. According to Zhang, these field-collected data, numbering in the millions, not only support the crop monitoring in CropWatch but also contribute to partner countries for internal applications. CropWatch is now used in over 20 Global South countries, including Mozambique, Mongolia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Kyrgyzstan. PUBLIC BENEFITS In a heartwarming video taken last June, an elderly woman at a Rayong care home in Thailand sat in bed, chatting via real-time video with a local rehab specialist via a test terminal at Mahanakorn University of Technology in Bangkok, which was linked to the eight-satellite experimental constellation built by the Chinese space firm GalaxySpace. The seamless high-speed video stream showcased the power of real-time mobile-to-satellite communication in Thailand's remote areas, where traditional networks are unreliable. "It will further enhance Thailand's capacity building in aerospace technology and applications," said Suphongsa Khetkeeree, a scientist from the satellite research lab at the University. In February this year, GalaxySpace signed a Memorandum of Understanding with True Corporation, a major Thai telecommunications operator, to collaborate in areas such as the Starlink-like low-orbit satellite communication technology. "We are thrilled that this collaboration will bring cutting-edge innovative technologies to Thai consumers," said Manat Manavutiveth, CEO of True Corporation. The Beijing-based satellite manufacturer is now actively forging partnerships across Africa and Southeast Asia to deploy cutting-edge satellite internet technology to empower underserved local communities. Moreover, China's commercial satellite constellation, Spacesail, is set to provide satellite communication services to Brazil and broadband internet access to the country's remote and underserved regions. Spacesail is a low-Earth orbit constellation with full frequency bands and a multi-layer and multi-orbit design. Its commercial network construction was officially launched last August. The constellation is expected to bring its commercial services to Brazil in 2026. At a space city in Egypt, the ground station for MISRSAT-2 featured a prominent white dome with a red emblem of Chinese aid. Launched from China's Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on December 4, 2023, MISRSAT-2 made Egypt the first African nation with full satellite assembly and testing capabilities. Haitham Medhat Akah, a program manager from the Egyptian Space Agency, said that the MISRSAT-2 project helped Egypt become a leader in the field of space satellites in Africa and the Middle East. The satellite is now playing an important role in areas such as agriculture, mineral exploration, urban planning, and monitoring changes along the coastline. In Sriracha, Thailand, Atipat Wattanuntachai, a mechanical engineer, pointed to a Chinese-made vibration testing machine designed to evaluate the country's earth observation satellite THEOS-2's performance and reliability. "Thanks to China's support for Thailand in the space technology field, the cooperation with China has promoted the rapid development of Thailand's space industry," Atipat said. Such collaboration has expanded to deep space exploration. Previously, only spacefaring powers had invested in these curiosity-driven activities. China has invited scientists from Nicaragua, Indonesia and Senegal to join a planned lunar research station project. China has also announced plans to select and train two Pakistani astronauts for space missions, with one set to serve as a payload specialist on a future flight to the Chinese space station. - Xinhua
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
World's most powerful spy camera sees Chinese scientists redefine global standards for surveillance
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Chinese scientists have made a huge technical advancement in optical imaging technology, developing a powerful laser that could overhaul the global surveillance industry. The tech has the potential to enable China to observe foreign military satellites with unrivaled precision or even capture details as fine as a human face from low-Earth orbit. A team from the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Aerospace Information Research Institute managed to capture images with the camera, with millimeter-level resolution from distances exceeding 62 miles / 100 kilometers – previously thought impossible. The breakthrough was described in a study published last week in the peer-reviewed Chinese Journal of Lasers. The discovery was made during a trial of the camera across Qinghai Lake in China's northwest. Researchers deployed the groundbreaking synthetic aperture LiDAR system – a type of laser-based imaging system with a wide field of vision. Positioned on the lake's northern shore, the camera targeted arrays of reflective prisms placed 101.8 km away, benefiting from conditions with high visibility, minimal cloud cover and steady winds. The system detected details as small as 1.7mm / 0.07 inches and measured distances with an accuracy of 15.6mm / 0.61 inches – a performance 100 times better than the current best spy cameras, and the best telescopes relying on traditional lenses. The scientists employed several technological innovations to achieve this landmark technological advancement. By splitting the laser beam across a 4x4 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 tradeoff between aperture size and field of vision. They also used a specialized laser module to send signals with frequencies beyond 10 gigahertz. This provided fine range resolution, facilitating precise distance measurements. At the same time, a narrow color spectrum was maintained to enhance azimuth resolution, which improves horizontal detail detection. The new system is built on microwave synthetic aperture radar principles, but operates at optical wavelengths, delivering far sharper images than radar-based alternatives. It also outperforms previous long-range imaging attempts; 2011, for example, US defense contractor Lockheed Martin reached a 7.87 inch / 200mm azimuth resolution from 1 mile / 1.6 km. The technology marks a huge shift in how satellites – and objects on Earth – can be monitored. Why not take a look at our guides to the best spy cameras, the best camera drones, and the best body cameras.
South China Morning Post
19-02-2025
- Science
- South China Morning Post
Chinese scientists build world's most powerful spy camera
Chinese scientists have achieved a quantum leap in optical imaging technology with a powerful laser that could redefine global standards for surveillance, potentially allowing Beijing to scrutinise foreign military satellites with unparalleled precision or distinguish details as fine as a human face from low-Earth orbit. The team from the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Aerospace Information Research Institute captured images with millimetre-level resolution from distances exceeding 100km (62 miles), a feat previously deemed unattainable. The breakthrough was described in a study published on Friday in the peer-reviewed Chinese Journal of Lasers. During a trial conducted across Qinghai Lake – a sprawling alpine body of water in China's remote northwest – the researchers deployed a cutting-edge synthetic aperture lidar system, a type of laser-based imaging system with a wide field of vision. Positioned on the lake's northern shore, the device targeted arrays of reflective prisms placed 101.8km away under pristine atmospheric conditions with high visibility, minimal cloud cover, and steady wind. The device was able to quickly spot details measuring as small as 1.7mm across (1/16 inch) and tell the distance to objects with an accuracy of 15.6mm – a level of detail 100 times better than what can be seen with the leading spy cameras and telescopes that use lenses.
