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{{Infobox Object  
{{Infobox Object  
|image =  [[Image:Osterhagen key.jpg|250px]]
|image       =  Osterhagen key.jpg
|Object name = Osterhagen key
|aka        = Osterhagen System
|type = Weapon activation device
|type       = Defensive Weapon
|origin = [[Unified Intelligence Taskforce]]
|origin     = [[UNIT]]
|appearances = [[DW]]: ''[[The Stolen Earth]]'' / [[DW]]: ''[[Journey's End]]''
|first      = The Stolen Earth (TV story)
|appearances = {{il|[[TV]]: {{cs|Journey's End (TV story)}}|[[PROSE]]: {{cs|Prisoner of the Daleks (novel)}}}}
}}
}}
An '''Osterhagen key''' was a literal key used to activate a series of nuclear war-heads placed at strategic points beneath the [[Earth]]'s crust. Once these war-heads were detonated, the Earth would be ripped apart. The various keys were held by [[UNIT]] branches around the world by the time of the [[New Dalek Empire]] hidden in the Medusa Cascade.
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)}})


==Overview==
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]]'')


The Osterhagen Project was essentially a planetary self-destruct system. It was designed to be used only if humanity was placed in a situation where their suffering was completely unbearable and no possibility for rescue or recovery existed. The purpose of the key is among UNIT's most closely guarded secrets. [[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. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Stolen Earth]]'') A given Osterhagen key could only be used at secret facilities, called "Osterhagen stations", scattered around the world.  Such stations were known to exist in Germany, China, Liberia, and Argentina. When at least three Osterhagen keys were used, a detonator would be primed which would then set off a series of 25 nuclear devices embedded in the [[Earth]]'s crust. The power and positioning of the devices were such that the Earth's crust would be ripped open, effectively killing all life on the planet. Given the location of the other stations, it is reasonable to assume that the unseen fifth Osterhagen station was somewhere in North America.
== 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.


After Earth fell to the [[Dalek]]s, General [[Sanchez]] of [[UNIT]] gave the 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 key under any circumstances. (''[[DW]]'': [[The Stolen Earth]])
[[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)}})


Believing the Dalek invasion to be unstoppable, Martha Jones made her way to Germany and activated the station there. UNIT member [[Anna Zhou]] and a [[Liberian Man]] who refused to give his name had also made it to their respective Osterhagen stations. UNIT protocol stated that the keys should be used immediately upon the activation of any three stations, but Martha Jones delayed their use long enough to offer the [[Daleks]] a chance to surrender. Upon discovering that the Doctor had been captured, Martha attempted to blackmail the Daleks into releasing him, but the Daleks transmitted her to the Crucible before she could insert the key, effectively disarming the system.  
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)}})


After the War in the Medusa Cascade, the Doctor asked Martha to persuade UNIT to dismantle the "Osterhagen Project" altogether, to prevent it from being abused in the future. ([[DW]]: ''[[Journey's End]]'')
=== 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)}})


==History==
== History ==
Little is known of the history of the "Osterhagen Project".  However, the [[German Woman]] who provided food for UNIT forces at Osterhagen Station 1, implied that the Project had been around since her youthful visit to London. Given her age, this would suggest that it might be a program initiated by — or at least known to — [[the Brigadier]]. Indeed, the placement of the nuclear war-heads at the Earth's crust could have been effected by "the Inferno", or technology based upon it ([[DW]]: ''[[Inferno]]'').
=== Threatened use ===
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)}})


==Notes==
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.
*Osterhagen is an anagram of "Earth's gone".


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 ===
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 ==
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)}})
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 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)}})
The Doctor surmised the Osterhagen Project and key were invented and named after someone called "Osterhagen". ([[TV]]: {{cs|Journey's End (TV story)}})
== 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]]'')
[[Category:Osterhagen Project| *]]
[[Category:Defensive weapons]]
[[Category:Defensive weapons]]
[[Category:Superweapons]]
[[Category:Superweapons]]
[[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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