flyby

or fly-by

[ flahy-bahy ]
/ ˈflaɪˌbaɪ /

noun, plural fly·bys.

the flight of a spacecraft close enough to a celestial object, as a planet, to gather scientific data.
Aeronautics.
  1. Also called flypast. a low-altitude flight of an aircraft for the benefit of ground observers.
  2. flyover(def 1).

Origin of flyby

1950–55, Americanism; noun use of verb phrase fly by

Words nearby flyby

flyblown, flyboat, flybook, flyboy, flybridge, flyby, flycatcher, flyer, flying, flying boat, flying bomb

British Dictionary definitions for flyby

flyby
/ (ˈflaɪˌbaɪ) /

noun plural -bys

a flight past a particular position or target, esp the close approach of a spacecraft to a planet or satellite for investigation of conditions