Nimble Chinese satellite grabs hi-res images of US city in seconds: researchers

In just 42 seconds, a small Chinese satellite captured images of a large area around a US city that would be sharp enough to identify a military vehicle on the street and tell what type of weapon it might be carrying, say scientists reporting on the breakthrough.

Beijing-3, a small one-tonne commercial satellite launched by China in June performed an in-depth scan of the core area of the San Francisco Bay (3,800 square kilometres or 1,470 square miles), according to scientists involved in the project.

Most Earth observation satellites must be stable when taking images because attitude control mechanisms can produce vibrations that blur the images. But in this experiment on June 16, the Beijing-3 rolled and yawed wildly, the dramatic motion changing the angle of its camera’s line of sight to the ground when flying over North America. The movement allowed it to capture a larger area than satellites have managed until now.

By NC ScoutPublished On: January 2, 2022Categories: AP Staff, Intelligence7 Comments

About the Author: NC Scout

NC Scout is the nom de guerre of a former Infantry Scout and Sergeant in one of the Army’s best Reconnaissance Units. He has combat tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He teaches a series of courses focusing on small unit skills rarely if ever taught anywhere else in the prepping and survival field, including his RTO Course which focuses on small unit communications. In his free time he is an avid hunter, bushcrafter, writer, long range shooter, prepper, amateur radio operator and Libertarian activist. He can be contacted at [email protected] or via his blog at brushbeater.wordpress.com .

7 Comments

Johnny Paratrooper January 2, 2022 at 11:14

“…June performed an in-depth scan of the core area of the San Francisco Bay (3,800 square kilometres or 1,470 square miles), according to scientists involved in the project.”

That makes sense.

Many high ranking CCP agents are buried in the San Fran area. They have been colonizing the place for decades. Would make an excellent target for a naval and ground occupation.
Skillet January 2, 2022 at 13:06

I wonder if they were shocked at all the crazy homeless around town and the human scat and needles on the sidewalks?
- NC Scout January 2, 2022 at 13:33
  
  Probably not, since they’ve actively fomented the conditions.
  - SOG January 2, 2022 at 13:57
    
    this!
- Rick January 2, 2022 at 18:37
  
  And should they ever invade SF they would have no hesitation eradicating the homeless and drug users.
  - Johnny Paratrooper January 2, 2022 at 19:43
    
    The criminal acts look suspiciously just like the Smash and Grab ops in South Africa. Which we know are run by the Chinese. The drug problem and homelessness is no doubt related.
Madman_Actual January 3, 2022 at 21:16

Updated maps are important. Definitely not a good sign. Naturally, a military wants the most to date maps. But the way things are going in other parts of the world, they could be simply seeing where they can build one of their fully automated ports so they can drop off their shit products and pick up all the food we’ll give them for free.