an orbiting satellite used to carry out surveillance of an enemy country or military formations from space
Radar imagers from spy satellites routinely scan the sea surface.
A rocket carrying two spy satellites was forced to self-destruct.
Examples of 'spy satellite' in a sentence
spy satellite
Experts believe it is testing new spy satellite technology.
The Sun (2010)
The minister also plans to stop council officials using spy satellite images to monitor home improvements when assessing properties for council tax.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Such advanced hardware would have been spotted by spy satellites.
The Sun (2015)
In 2003 the agency suffered humiliation when two spy satellites had to be destroyed remotely minutes after take-off because they had strayed off-course.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
They are also needed in large quantities for more specialised machines such as wind turbines, spy satellites and rocket guidance systems.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
One analyst thought they might be targets for spy satellites, so that they can be calibrated.
The Sun (2011)
One area is obscured by netting, apparently positioned to block whatever lies beneath from the view of spy satellites.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
And the coalition targeting is dependent largely on drone surveillance, reconnaissance flights and spy satellites rather than eyes on the ground.