The world’s highest-resolution spy satellite is one step closer to launching.

Herndon-based GeoEye Inc., which won a $3.8 billion contract from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency in 2010 for next generation satellite imaging, said it has successfully completed a system critical design review of its new satellite, the last of four critical design reviews.

The NGA has approved the operational and security requirements for the new satellite program, known as EnhancedView.

“These milestones validate that our upgraded ground systems and GeoEye-2 satellite are designed to support the needs of the national security community, from our intelligence analysts at home to our warfighters abroad,” said Bill Schuster, the chief operating officer of GeoEye (NASDAQ: GEOY).

GeoEye-2, which will collect more imagery and at a faster rate, is scheduled to be launched in 2013.