Sky Spy

Kinda like a mini-satellite, except it doesn't fall.

The Sky Spy, a satellite-based technology designed for collection of information, is a component of Cybertronian expedition ships. It is responsible for data collection, such as the vehicle scans used to reformat the first generation of Transformers following their arrival on Earth.

Fiction

Generation 1

The Transformers cartoon

After being reactivated by seismic activity from the volcano the Ark crashed into, Teletraan I deployed a Sky Spy to explore the area for suitable Earth-based alt modes for the stasis-locked Transformers. More than Meets the Eye, Part 1 A Sky Spy was also used to scout the Arctic Circle for the cause of the global decline in temperature. During its pass, it spotted a large green crystal protruding out of the snow and ice. It also detected Decepticon activity in the area. Fire in the Sky One Sky Spy unit met its demise when it was shot out of the sky by Megatron using the ancient Crystal of Power. Fire on the Mountain That unit was later re-enabled, after Ratchet said that Teletraan I was debugged, and being "checked out". The unit then unveiled the largest Space Bridge the Decepticons had built up to that point. The Ultimate Doom Some time later, Sky Spy was observing the coast of Japan when the electronic gremlin Kremzeek ran amok in Autobot Headquarters. It escaped by 'riding' Sky Spy's transmission beam and emerged in Japan. Kremzeek!

Dreamwave Generation One comics

If this were The Legend of Zelda, Sheikah involvement would be suspected.

Starscream deployed a Sky Spy to scan suitable alternate Earth-modes for his Combaticons. Black Sunshine

Transformers/G.I. Joe

A "repair drone" on the Fera Islands was activated by accident by members of G.I. Joe. It immediately flew up with a velocity greater than sound's and scanned the surrounding area to find suitable alternate modes for the Autobots. During its search, it was spotted by Starscream and Megatron, informing both the Decepticons it wouldn't be long before they'd face their old enemies again. Transformed

Transformers Legends anthology

Starscream shot down Sky Spy as it had the ability to shut down Megatron's weather control machine. Ratchet was sent to retrieve the Sky Spy, and ended up using it during a rescue to scan the mind of a human in order to gain the medical knowledge needed for an operation. The human, a veteran nicknamed Stitch, returned the favour by using the titanium from his prosthetic hand to complete repairs on Sky Spy, and the device was successfully used to shut down Megatron's machine. Healers, Fighters, and Transformers

IDW Generation 1 comics

During the Clampdown, the government used Sky Spies to keep an eye on the populace. For their own security, of course. Post Hoc Many were used to boost the security at the Primal Basilica, and one (Sky Spy 12-0815) recorded the destruction of Rodion's police headquarters. An Intimate Beheading

Robots in Disguise

When Koji Onishi wondered if they'd ever find his father, Midnight Express assured him that their Sky Spies were out searching for the Predacons 24/7. Hope for the Future

Notes

• In the Marvel Generation 1 comic and Dreamwave's G.I. Joe crossover comic, the satellite drone operated by the Ark's computer is not given a name.

• Spike was the first one to coin the name 'Sky Spy' in the The Transformers cartoon episode "Fire in the Sky".

See also

• Shooting Star