Spy Satellites: Difference between revisions

== [[Literature]] ==

* Several of [[Philip Jose Farmer|Philip José Farmer's]] novels include spy satellites. In the ''Dayworld'' series they are a weapon of a future <s>police state</s> sharing caring one-world government. Interestingly, even though the articles were written in the 70's/ early 80's Farmer has the satellites hooked up to gait-analysing computers. It adds to the paranoid atmosphere: once the characters become fugitives they have to wear widebrim hats and spend every moment on the street walking in a deliberately different pattern.

** At one point, a satellite gets a photo of a woman in a low-cut dress, as viewed from above. One of the analysts [[Discussed Trope|estimates]] that she had to be a C-Cup or bigger, because the limited resolution of the satellites meant that they wouldn't be able to see her cleavage if she were any smaller.

** Spy satellites show up in other [[Tom Clancy|Ryanverse]] stories, but usually in a realistic fashion: with still photos, known trajectories, and otherwise limited ability. When spy satellites are ''not'' appropriate (for example, in ''Without Remorse'', part of which involves the Vietnam War), drones and UAVs are used. ''The Bear and The Dragon'' actually focuses on how Dark Star UAVs (essentially stealthy Predator drones) dramatically shift the balance of power in war, allowing the undertrained, undermanned, ''very'' poorly equipped Russian army to defeat the otherwise overwhelmingly superior Chinese invaders.

* ''[[24|Twenty Four]]'' has had this one several times. In its first use George Mason asked for thirty-second intervals. The footage shown were blatantly more like a picture every five seconds.

* ''[[Alias (TV series)|Alias]]'' constantly relies on this to feed intel to its super-agents as they work in the field. Many of the show's plot points hinge on this trope.

* ''[[NCIS]]'' in "Eye Spy".

* ''[[Jericho]]'''s track record with satellites is... schizophrenic. On the one hand, you get reasonable-looking still photos from satellites. On the other, you get Hawkins' satellite feeds... which appear to be filmed right at ground level.