First Contact: the Episode

[Thanos007]

I just rewatched First Contact found it hard to believe that a society on the verge of using warp engines 1) Doesn't have satellites let alone any kind of previous space program (supposition on my part but boy it sure sounds like it.) and 2) Doesn't have any telescopes. The better to see the Enterprise in orbit.

 

[JirinPanthosa]

The Federation may not have cloaking but it must know how not to be seen by an industrial society, or else they wouldn't go anywhere near. It must have procedures to stay far enough away from the planet and prevent detectable radio signals and such.