SatCom Array NW-05a

SatCom NW-05a is a satellite communications array, part of the SatCom Array in the northwest of the Capital Wasteland. It is located further west of NN-03d, between Fort Constantine, and the MDPL-05 Power Station.

NW-05a is populated by members of the Talon Company and a ghoul scientist. On the scientist's body you will find three notes. The two SatCom Array Coordinates will mark the other two SatCom arrays on your map when used with the computer at the top of the tower. The third holotape will activate "Highwater Trousers", an orbital micro-nuclear weapons platform (basically a satellite armed with nuclear missiles that can hit targets on the ground) that will drop several small tactical nuclear missiles around the tower. The scientist's notes indicate that while the orbital platform's missile payload is still intact, the rotors which change the targeting position of the array need to be replaced. There does not seem to be a replacement component at any other array.

Highwater Trousers missile launch
For your amusement, upload the Highwater Trousers activation code taken from the dead scientist into the nearby terminal, and at your own pace move up the ladder to the top of the dish (note that nothing will happen until you move from your spawn point). To get the best view, run east up to the top of the dish and look for eight red laser targeting strikes which are shortly followed by eight missiles.

The explosions are ten times bigger than a mini-nuke and leave no craters, but cause fairly high, quickly decreasing radiation (above 40 rads a second, near the center of impact). They can kill your followers if you station them near a location where a missile falls.

Notable loot

 * Chinese Army: Special Ops Training Manual found near a terminal towards the left upon entering at the ground level.

Nearby points of interest
Raider wharf is to the west and slightly south of SatCom Array NW-05a. There is a a shelf containing a mini nuke and inside On top of the floating blue boat near the wharf is a Nikola Tesla and You and a Stealth Boy.

Just southwest of the tower is an Enclave camp consisting of regular and Tesla-equipped soldiers, and a sentry bot, which can be easily located when heading toward the wharf.

Also to the southwest there is a bathtub with a skeleton and a mini nuke in it.

Appearances
The SatCom Array NW-05a only appears in Fallout 3.