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{{Infobox Object  
{{Infobox Object  
|image =  Osterhagen key.jpg
|image       =  Osterhagen key.jpg
|name = Osterhagen Project
|aka        = Osterhagen System
|type = Defensive Weapon
|type       = Defensive Weapon
|origin = [[Unified Intelligence Taskforce]]
|origin     = [[UNIT]]
|appearances = [[DW]]: ''[[The Stolen Earth]]'' / ''[[Journey's End]]''  <br />[[NSA]]: ''[[Prisoner of the Daleks]]''
|first      = The Stolen Earth (TV story)
|appearances = {{il|[[TV]]: {{cs|Journey's End (TV story)}}|[[PROSE]]: {{cs|Prisoner of the Daleks (novel)}}}}
}}
}}
The '''Osterhagen Project''' was a defence weapon consisting of a series of nuclear war-heads placed at strategic points beneath the [[Earth]]'s crust.
The '''Osterhagen Project''', ([[TV]]: {{cs|Journey's End (TV story)}}) or the '''Osterhagen System''', ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Secret Lives of Monsters (novel)|The Secret Lives of Monsters]]'') was a defence weapon consisting of a series of nuclear warheads placed at strategic points beneath the [[Earth]]'s crust and a last resort that would sacrifice the planet in the hope of taking its enemies with it. ([[TV]]: {{cs|Journey's End (TV story)}})
 
The Osterhagen System replaced the [[Z-Bomb|Z-Bomb System]]. It was far more effective and included a far greater level of security safeguard against accidental or terrorist use. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Secret Lives of Monsters (novel)|The Secret Lives of Monsters]]'')


== Overview ==
== Overview ==
The Osterhagen Project was a [[planet]]ary self-destruct system. It was meant to be used only if humanity were suffering unbearably, with no hope of help ever coming. The Osterhagen system was a chain of twenty-five nuclear warheads placed in strategic points beneath the Earth's crust. If the key was used, the system would be activated and the Earth would be ripped apart.


The Osterhagen Project was a planetary self-destruct system. It was meant to be used only if humanity were suffering unbearably, with no hope or help was ever coming. The Osterhagen system was a chain of twenty-five nuclear warheads placed in strategic points beneath the Earth's crust. If the key to the project was used, the system would be activated and the Earth would be ripped apart.
[[Osterhagen Key|The Osterhagen keys]] were distributed among various high-ranking [[UNIT]] personnel across the globe. There was at least one key for each of the five stations known to be operational. ([[TV]]: {{cs|Journey's End (TV story)}})
 
 
The Osterhagen keys were distributed among various high-ranking [[UNIT]] personnel across the globe. Although the exact number of keys is unknown, there was at least one key for each of the five stations known to be operational. It is also unknown if each key was paired with a specific station, or if a key would operate any Osterhagen station. ([[DW]]: ''[[Journey's End]]'')
 
 
 
In [[2009]], [[Sanchez|General Sanchez]] was in possession of an Osterhagen key. During the [[Dalek Invasion of Earth (2009)|Dalek Invasion of Earth]], Sanchez authorised [[Martha Jones]] to use it if she failed to contact the [[Tenth Doctor]]. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Stolen Earth]]'') Two other keys were given to UNIT soldiers in Africa and Asia. Given their ages and reluctance to use the keys, it is likely that the two soldiers were junior officers authorised to use the keys by their commanders, just as Martha was. ([[DW]]: ''[[Journey's End]]'')
 


In [[2009]], [[Lieutenant General]] [[Sanchez]] was in possession of an Osterhagen key. During the [[21st century Dalek invasion|Dalek invasion of Earth]], Sanchez authorised [[Martha Jones]] to use it if she failed to contact the [[Tenth Doctor]]. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Stolen Earth (TV story)}}) Two other keys were given to UNIT soldiers in Africa and Asia. ([[TV]]: {{cs|Journey's End (TV story)}})


=== Osterhagen stations ===
=== Osterhagen stations ===
 
There were at least five [[Osterhagen Station]]s located across the world but only three needed to be manned for the system to work. [[Osterhagen Station 1]] was located sixty miles outside of [[Nuremberg]], [[Osterhagen Station 4]] was located in [[Liberia]] and [[Osterhagen Station 5]] was located in [[China]]. Another station was located in [[Argentina]]. ([[TV]]: {{cs|Journey's End (TV story)}})
There were at least five Osterhagen stations located across the world but only three needed to be manned for the system to work. ([[DW]]: ''[[Journey's End]]'')
 
 
* [[Osterhagen Station 1]] located sixty miles outside of [[Nuremberg]].
* Osterhagen Station ? located in [[Argentina]].
* Osterhagen Station 4 located in [[Liberia]].
* Osterhagen Station 5 located in [[China]].


== History ==
== History ==
=== Threatened use ===
=== Threatened use ===
After Earth fell to the [[Dalek]]s, in [[2009]], [[Sanchez|General Sanchez]] of [[UNIT]] gave a key to [[Martha Jones]], along with the prototype of [[Project Indigo]], to escape. However, former [[Prime Minister]] [[Harriet Jones]] told Martha Jones not to use the Osterhagen key under any circumstances. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Stolen Earth]]'')
After Earth fell to the [[New Dalek Empire|Daleks]], in [[2009]], [[Sanchez|General Sanchez]] of [[UNIT]] gave a key to [[Martha Jones]], along with the prototype of [[Project Indigo]], to escape. However, former [[Prime Minister]] [[Harriet Jones]] told Martha not to use the Osterhagen key under any circumstances. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Stolen Earth (TV story)}})


Believing the Dalek invasion unstoppable, Martha Jones made her way to Germany. She activated the station there and contacted two UNIT soldiers, one [[Anna Zhou]] of China, another a [[Liberian Man|Liberian]] who refused to give his name. UNIT protocol stated that the keys should be used immediately upon the activation of any three stations, but Martha Jones delayed their use to offer the Daleks a chance to surrender. Discovering that the Doctor had been captured, Martha attempted to blackmail the Daleks into releasing him, but the Daleks [[transmat]]ted her to the Crucible before she could insert the key, disarming the system.
Believing the Dalek invasion unstoppable, Martha made her way to Germany. She activated the station there and contacted two UNIT soldiers, one [[Anna Zhou]] of China, another a [[Liberian man|Liberian]] who refused to give his name. UNIT protocol stated that the keys should be used immediately upon the activation of any three stations, but Martha delayed their use to offer the Daleks a chance to surrender. Discovering that the Doctor had been captured, Martha attempted to blackmail the Daleks into releasing him, but the Daleks [[transmat]]ted her to the Crucible before she could insert the key, disarming the system.


Martha Jones claimed that the Earth would be ripped apart, making the [[reality bomb]] useless, since it used Earth as part of its mechanism. After the [[War in the Medusa Cascade]], the Doctor asked Martha to persuade UNIT to dismantle the "Osterhagen Project" altogether, to prevent it being abused in the future. ([[DW]]: ''[[Journey's End]]'')
Martha claimed that the Earth would be ripped apart, making the [[reality bomb]] useless, since it used Earth as part of its mechanism. After the [[War in the Medusa Cascade]], the Doctor asked Martha to persuade UNIT to dismantle the "Osterhagen Project" altogether, to prevent it being abused in the future. ([[TV]]: {{cs|Journey's End (TV story)}}) UNIT did indeed decommission the project. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Dalek: The Astounding Untold History of the Greatest Enemies of the Universe (short story)|Dalek: The Astounding Untold History of the Greatest Enemies of the Universe]]'')


=== Principle ===
=== Principle ===
The planet [[Auros]] was once found burning by the Doctor and the crew of the [[Wayfarer]]. Her captain, [[Jon Bowman]], described the devastation as "The Osterhagen Principle". The planet had been destroyed to stop the [[Dalek]]s from having it. ([[NSA]]: ''[[Prisoner of the Daleks]]'')
During the [[Second Dalek War]], the planet [[Auros]] was once found burning by the Doctor and the crew of the ''[[Wayfarer]]''. Her captain, [[Jon Bowman]], described the devastation as "the Osterhagen Principle". The planet had been destroyed to stop it from falling to the [[Dalek]]s as [[Dalek Fleet|their fleet]] drew nearer. Nevertheless, the Daleks anticipated this move and the Auros evacuation fleet was driven into a trap devised by [[Dalek X]]. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|Prisoner of the Daleks (novel)}})


== Other information ==
== Other information ==
It is unknown whether Martha chose not to destroy the Osterhagen Keys out of concern for the welfare of the planet in the Doctor's absence, or if she deactivated the warheads. However, its use on Auros indicates that some trace of information regarding the Osterhagen Project lived on, either through classified files or word of mouth passed down by high-ranking officials. ([[NSA]]: ''[[Prisoner of the Daleks]]'')
Though the Doctor had asked Martha to see to the dismantling of the Osterhagen Project, ([[TV]]: {{cs|Journey's End (TV story)}}) its use on Auros during the [[26th century]] showed that some trace of information regarding the Osterhagen Project lived on, either through classified files or word of mouth passed down by high-ranking officials. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|Prisoner of the Daleks (novel)}})


Little is known of the origin of the "Osterhagen Project". However, the [[German woman|unnamed German woman]] who provided food for UNIT forces at [[Osterhagen Station 1]] implied that the Project had been around since her visit as a youth to [[London]]. ([[DW]]: ''[[Journey's End]]'')
The [[German woman]] who provided food for UNIT forces at [[Osterhagen Station 1]] implied that the Project had been around since her visit as a youth to [[London]]. ([[TV]]: {{cs|Journey's End (TV story)}})


[[Jack Harkness]] of [[Torchwood 3]] was able to learn the details of another top-secret UNIT initiative, [[Project Indigo]], but he had no knowledge of the key.
[[Jack Harkness]] of [[Torchwood Three]] was able to learn the details of another top-secret UNIT initiative, [[Project Indigo]], but he had no knowledge of the key. However, several people outside UNIT knew of the key, such as former Prime Minister [[Harriet Jones]]. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Stolen Earth (TV story)}})


However, several people outside UNIT knew of the key, such as former Prime Minister, [[Harriet Jones]]. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Stolen Earth]]'')
The Doctor surmised the Osterhagen Project and key were invented and named after someone called "Osterhagen". ([[TV]]: {{cs|Journey's End (TV story)}})


The Doctor surmised the Osterhagen Project and key were invented and named after someone called "Osterhagen". ([[DW]]: ''[[Journey's End]]'') It has been noted too, that "Osterhagen" is an anagram for "Earth's gone", possibly a nod to the plot device of having Earth "stolen".
== Behind the scenes ==
* "Osterhagen" is the name of an actual German village.
* "Osterhagen" is an anagram of "Earth's Gone".
* In the original script, the Osterhagen key was called the "Stattenheim" key. (''[[The Writer's Tale]]'')


== Behind the scenes ==
[[Category:Osterhagen Project| *]]
* "Osterhagen" is the name of an actual German village, but is also an anagram for "Earth's gone".
* The concept greatly resembles the ''Outer Limits'' episode, [http://theouterlimits.com/episodes/season3/306.htm "Dead Man's Switch"].
* In the original script, the Osterhagen key was called the "Stattenheim" key. (''[[Doctor Who: The Writer's Tale]]'') Whether this was meant as a reference to the [[Stattenheim remote control]], used by the [[Second Doctor]] to call [[The Doctor's TARDIS|his TARDIS]] in ''[[The Two Doctors]]'', and [[The Rani]] to call [[The Rani's TARDIS|hers]] in ''[[The Mark of the Rani]]'', is unknown.
[[Category:Defensive weapons]]
[[Category:Defensive weapons]]
[[Category:United Nations Intelligence Taskforce]]
[[Category:Superweapons]]
[[Category:Superweapons]]
[[Category:Earth technology]]
[[Category:Earth technology]]
[[Category:UNIT operations]]

Latest revision as of 17:08, 21 October 2024

The Osterhagen Project, (TV: Journey's End [+]Loading...["Journey's End (TV story)"]) or the Osterhagen System, (PROSE: The Secret Lives of Monsters) was a defence weapon consisting of a series of nuclear warheads placed at strategic points beneath the Earth's crust and a last resort that would sacrifice the planet in the hope of taking its enemies with it. (TV: Journey's End [+]Loading...["Journey's End (TV story)"])

The Osterhagen System replaced the Z-Bomb System. It was far more effective and included a far greater level of security safeguard against accidental or terrorist use. (PROSE: The Secret Lives of Monsters)

Overview[[edit] | [edit source]]

The Osterhagen Project was a planetary self-destruct system. It was meant to be used only if humanity were suffering unbearably, with no hope of help ever coming. The Osterhagen system was a chain of twenty-five nuclear warheads placed in strategic points beneath the Earth's crust. If the key was used, the system would be activated and the Earth would be ripped apart.

The Osterhagen keys were distributed among various high-ranking UNIT personnel across the globe. There was at least one key for each of the five stations known to be operational. (TV: Journey's End [+]Loading...["Journey's End (TV story)"])

In 2009, Lieutenant General Sanchez was in possession of an Osterhagen key. During the Dalek invasion of Earth, Sanchez authorised Martha Jones to use it if she failed to contact the Tenth Doctor. (TV: The Stolen Earth [+]Loading...["The Stolen Earth (TV story)"]) Two other keys were given to UNIT soldiers in Africa and Asia. (TV: Journey's End [+]Loading...["Journey's End (TV story)"])

Osterhagen stations[[edit] | [edit source]]

There were at least five Osterhagen Stations located across the world but only three needed to be manned for the system to work. Osterhagen Station 1 was located sixty miles outside of Nuremberg, Osterhagen Station 4 was located in Liberia and Osterhagen Station 5 was located in China. Another station was located in Argentina. (TV: Journey's End [+]Loading...["Journey's End (TV story)"])

History[[edit] | [edit source]]

Threatened use[[edit] | [edit source]]

After Earth fell to the Daleks, in 2009, General Sanchez of UNIT gave a key to Martha Jones, along with the prototype of Project Indigo, to escape. However, former Prime Minister Harriet Jones told Martha not to use the Osterhagen key under any circumstances. (TV: The Stolen Earth [+]Loading...["The Stolen Earth (TV story)"])

Believing the Dalek invasion unstoppable, Martha made her way to Germany. She activated the station there and contacted two UNIT soldiers, one Anna Zhou of China, another a Liberian who refused to give his name. UNIT protocol stated that the keys should be used immediately upon the activation of any three stations, but Martha delayed their use to offer the Daleks a chance to surrender. Discovering that the Doctor had been captured, Martha attempted to blackmail the Daleks into releasing him, but the Daleks transmatted her to the Crucible before she could insert the key, disarming the system.

Martha claimed that the Earth would be ripped apart, making the reality bomb useless, since it used Earth as part of its mechanism. After the War in the Medusa Cascade, the Doctor asked Martha to persuade UNIT to dismantle the "Osterhagen Project" altogether, to prevent it being abused in the future. (TV: Journey's End [+]Loading...["Journey's End (TV story)"]) UNIT did indeed decommission the project. (PROSE: Dalek: The Astounding Untold History of the Greatest Enemies of the Universe)

Principle[[edit] | [edit source]]

During the Second Dalek War, the planet Auros was once found burning by the Doctor and the crew of the Wayfarer. Her captain, Jon Bowman, described the devastation as "the Osterhagen Principle". The planet had been destroyed to stop it from falling to the Daleks as their fleet drew nearer. Nevertheless, the Daleks anticipated this move and the Auros evacuation fleet was driven into a trap devised by Dalek X. (PROSE: Prisoner of the Daleks [+]Loading...["Prisoner of the Daleks (novel)"])

Other information[[edit] | [edit source]]

Though the Doctor had asked Martha to see to the dismantling of the Osterhagen Project, (TV: Journey's End [+]Loading...["Journey's End (TV story)"]) its use on Auros during the 26th century showed that some trace of information regarding the Osterhagen Project lived on, either through classified files or word of mouth passed down by high-ranking officials. (PROSE: Prisoner of the Daleks [+]Loading...["Prisoner of the Daleks (novel)"])

The German woman who provided food for UNIT forces at Osterhagen Station 1 implied that the Project had been around since her visit as a youth to London. (TV: Journey's End [+]Loading...["Journey's End (TV story)"])

Jack Harkness of Torchwood Three was able to learn the details of another top-secret UNIT initiative, Project Indigo, but he had no knowledge of the key. However, several people outside UNIT knew of the key, such as former Prime Minister Harriet Jones. (TV: The Stolen Earth [+]Loading...["The Stolen Earth (TV story)"])

The Doctor surmised the Osterhagen Project and key were invented and named after someone called "Osterhagen". (TV: Journey's End [+]Loading...["Journey's End (TV story)"])

Behind the scenes[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • "Osterhagen" is the name of an actual German village.
  • "Osterhagen" is an anagram of "Earth's Gone".
  • In the original script, the Osterhagen key was called the "Stattenheim" key. (The Writer's Tale)
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