EPHEMERIS

EPHEMERIS (Arvorian: ЭФЕМЕРИДЫ) is a highly classified network of dedicated optical reconnaissance satellites (RORSATs) in high Gotha orbit operated by the Armed Forces of Arvor (AFA).

Very little is known about EPHEMERIS, aside from the fact that it exists. The satellites are said to be equipped for high-resolution optical imaging and radar imaging surveillance. They grant Arvor the capability to observe surface activity in near real-time thanks to a secure CRYPTON (КРИПТОН) uplink maintained between the satellites and AURORA, the supercomputer located at Mount Yarokovo. Data gathered via EPHEMERIS plays a role in the situational analysis and force deployment projections AURORA provides to military planners. The actual capabilities of the satellites are unknown outside of those cleared to know of them within the Arvorian military and intelligence community, with the exception of a handful of senior government officials including the minister of defence, premier, and president. Reports using the data gathered by the network as a primary source are provided to these officials and the members of the General Staff on a regular basis.

The EPHEMERIS constellation is operated completely separate from the ELEKTRON (ЭЛЕКТРОН) and ZENITH (ЗЕНИТ) networks. All data collected via the satellites is fed into the AURORA supercomputer at Mount Yarokovo and is part of the AFA's military planning and assessment activities.