The Atmospheric Surveillance System (codename System 5, originally Project 677) is a covert federal system in Vekllei that monitors atmospheric conditions, aerospace traffic and missile activity across the Atlantic basin through over-the-horizon radar and sampling stations scattered across Vekllei’s republics. Its primary function is early warning of ballistic missile launches, though it also tracks aircraft movements, detects atmospheric nuclear detonations and collects air samples for radiological and chemical analysis.
The system took its current form in 2060, drawing together existing radar installations and weather monitoring networks. Vekllei’s scattered Atlantic geography suits over-the-horizon radar coverage, and installations can bounce signals off the ionosphere to detect aircraft and missiles at ranges exceeding 3,000 kilometres. The network identifies missile launches by their characteristic radar signatures during boost phase, providing 15-20 minutes warning before impact and triggering automated alerts to the Federal Military Establishment and, if warranted, the Shelter Network.
Radar Installations with Discrete Sections of System 5
Atmospheric sampling stations distributed across the republics collect air for radiological and chemical analysis, detecting radiation from nuclear tests, reactor accidents or weapon detonations. Radioactive isotopes from nuclear tests spread around the world through atmospheric circulation, and the sampling network can detect detonations thousands of kilometres away, and analysis of isotope ratios and decay products reveals information about weapon design, yield and materials used. The stations operate under the LSRE’s Division of Atmospheric Physics as legitimate research facilities, with classified analysis conducted separately. Only Camicos Station in Mira is staffed exclusively for System 5.
Sampling Installations with Discrete Sections of System 5
Beyond missile defence, the atmospheric sampling provides intelligence on foreign nuclear programs and industrial activities, and represents well the kind of persistent data collection that characterises Commonwealth surveillance generally.