Espionage Technology

Requirements:
 * Research Lab (Level 3)

Is Required For:
 * Espionage Probe (Level 2)
 * Expedition Technology (Level 4)
 * Astrophysics (Level 4)

Espionage Technology allows players to see other Planets' Buildings, Fleets, Defenses, and Research. The success of the Espionage Mission depends on the difference between the two players' Espionage Technology levels. The higher your Espionage Technology level is over your target, the more likely your Espionage mission will succeed. Additionally, if you are the target of an Espionage Mission a higher Espionage Technology level than your opponent's will result in a better chance for successful Counterespionage (destruction of any incoming probes).

Your level of Espionage Technology also determines the amount of information you get about an incoming foreign fleet on your overview screen.
 * At levels 0-1 you just see that a fleet is approaching.
 * At levels 2-3 you see the number of ships approaching.
 * At levels 4-7 you see what types of ship are in the fleet.
 * At level 8+ you see how many of each type the fleet contains.

Calculator
It is possible to calculate the amount of probes needed. The tool can be found here.