subsatellite

/sʌbˈsætəˌlaɪt/
noun
  1. A smaller satellite that is released or carried by a larger satellite or spacecraft.
    • The main satellite deployed a subsatellite to study the moon's surface.
    • Engineers designed the subsatellite to collect data on solar radiation.
    • The subsatellite orbited Earth for a few months before burning up in the atmosphere.
Synonyms