Why does the US govt still bother to fly spy planes over other countries when we have satellites?
Satellites are much, much higher off the ground than planes are. Camera lenses are only so good. Obviously the closer you are to the ground, the better your photos will be.
The Short Answer
Satellites are much, much higher off the ground than planes are. Camera lenses are only so good. Obviously the closer you are to the ground, the better your photos will be.
Analysis
Key Concepts: Ground, satellites, higher
This explanation focuses on ground, satellites, higher and spans 31 words across 3 sentences. At 54% below the average Space & Astronomy explanation (68 words), the answer takes a direct, no-frills approach — sometimes the simplest explanation is the most effective.
What This Answer Covers
The explanation opens with: “Satellites are much, much higher off the ground than planes are.” It then elaboratesultimately building toward a complete picture across 3 connected points.
How This Compares in Space & Astronomy
Ranked #392 of 500 Space & Astronomy questions by answer depth (top 79%). This is a brief primer — the answer is intentionally short. For questions with a single core mechanism, brevity can actually be a strength.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a simple explanation for why the us govt still bother to fly spy planes over other countries when we have satellites?
Satellites are much, much higher off the ground than planes are. Camera lenses are only so good. Obviously the closer you are to the ground, the better your photos will be.
How detailed is this explanation compared to similar Space & Astronomy questions?
This is a brief answer at 31 words, ranked #392 of 500 Space & Astronomy questions by depth. The key concepts covered are ground, satellites, higher.
What approach does this answer take to explain the us govt still bother to fly spy planes over other countr?
The explanation uses direct explanation across 31 words. It is categorized under Space & Astronomy and addresses the question through 1 analytical lens.