CAGE Grid Radar Console (National Reconnaissance Center)

A dimly lit, banked monitoring console at the National Reconnaissance Center that projects a live orbital grid and radar blips on a multi‑screen array. Glassy displays pulse with green and amber contacts; tactile knobs and a trackball let operators zoom and pan the grid. Worn edges and stamped unit IDs suggest constant overnight watches. An alert indicator flares when a fresh CAGE satellite pass is detected; the radar officer points to the screen and Jack leans in, zooming to grid X‑10 and verbally confirming the carriers and destroyers.

1 appearances

Purpose

To receive, visualize, and interrogate satellite and radar telemetry — enabling operators to detect, track, and identify maritime contacts and translate raw sensor returns into actionable geospatial information.

Significance

Serves as the ignition point for crisis: the console converts a twenty‑minute‑old satellite contact into a clear naval task group (two escort carriers, four destroyers), triggering escalation and propelling the administration from uncertainty into immediate crisis management.

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

1 moments

S1E11 · Lord John Marbury

Fresh Task Group on the Grid — Two CVEs, Four Destroyers

The banked CAGE Grid Radar Console is the tactile interface through which the officer and Jack inspect, zoom, and resolve the contact. The console's zoom and display functions turn raw telemetry into a readable picture (grid X-10) that allows verbal identification of carriers and destroyers.

Before: Unremarkable overnight watch console, monitoring periodic sweeps with displays cycling and operators at their stations.

After: Actively in use: zoomed to X-10, alert indicator engaged, serving as the focal point for rapid reporting and escalation.

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