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| [[File:DSV - W.S.K.R..jpg|thumb|A W.S.K.R. tagging ''[[Delta 4]]'' at [[Gedrick Power Station]] {{Ep|To Be or Not to Be}}.]]
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| '''Wireless Sea Knowledge Retrieval Satellites''' ('''W.S.K.R.S.'''), referred to by their phonetic acronymic colloquialism "'''Whiskers,"''' are a type of sensor technology used to augment an underwater vessel's detection and probing capabilities. Specifically, the "Whiskers" offer a computer-enhanced view that is displayed on the screens aboard ''[[SeaQuest DSV|seaQuest DSV 4600]]'', augmenting the ship's sonar and other detection capabilities.
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| As originally planned in [[Nathan Bridger]]'s design, ''seaQuest'' is outfitted to make use of three satellites, with each designated by a call-sign in accordance to their position when deployed (one forward, and two aftward): "[[Mother]]," "[[Junior]]," and "[[Loner]]." The "Whiskers" are an integral part of ''[[SeaQuest DSV|seaQuest]]''<nowiki/>'s systems, providing essential information for navigation, communications, threat assessment, and weapons targeting. The system is integrated into the ship's bridge and is operated by multiple crew members, and despite the use of only three call-signs, ''seaQuest'' has additional satellites aboard as replacements.
| | '''Wireless Sea Knowledge Retrieval Satellites''' ('''W.S.K.R.S.'''), referred to as "'''Whiskers,"''' refers to a type of sensor technology used in the world depicted in the sources. Specifically, the "Whiskers" are a computer-enhanced view that is displayed on the screens aboard the ''[[SeaQuest DSV|seaQuest]]''. These sensors appear to be a key component of the ship's intelligence and awareness capabilities. |
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| ''[[seaQuest DSV 4600-II]]'' also employed Whiskers, echoing their predecessor's deployment and usage. Sensor Chief [[Miguel Ortiz]] is tasked with their operation during both ''4600''<nowiki/>'s 2017 and 2018-2019 tours, as well as the ''4600-II'' 2021 tour. | | The "Whiskers" provide a detailed, real-time view of the surroundings, allowing the crew to monitor the positions and movements of other vessels. The technology is used to track other submarines and assess potential threats, such as the renegade Typhoon sub. The "Whiskers" can be used in attack scenarios, as seen when the ''[[SeaQuest DSV|seaQuest]]'' is preparing to fire on the Typhoon sub. The "Whiskers" data is displayed as scrolling text on the forward screens of the bridge, showing the data that is informing the crew's decisions. |
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| Outside of both ''seaQuests'', Whisker technology does not appear to be widely used.
| | The "Whiskers" technology is also mentioned in connection with target sweeps. The script indicates that the "Whiskers" data can be used to identify and lock onto targets for weapons systems. The system is sophisticated enough to distinguish between different types of vessels and to recognize when a target is locked. There is a sense that the data provided by "Whiskers" is not always perfect, as the crew is sometimes caught by surprise despite using the technology, indicating that it is not infallible . |
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| == Purpose ==
| | The "Whiskers" are an integral part of the combat systems aboard the ''[[SeaQuest DSV|seaQuest]]'', providing essential information for navigation, threat assessment, and weapons targeting. The system is integrated into the ship's bridge and is operated by multiple crew members. It is clear that the "Whiskers" system is not unique to the ''[[SeaQuest DSV|seaQuest]]'', as other vessels also have this sensor technology, such as the renegade ''Typhoon'' sub. In addition to the larger "Whiskers" system, the text mentions smaller "WSKR probes" that are also used for reconnaissance. |
| [[File:DSV - W.S.K.R. Opened.jpg|thumb|''[[seaQuest DSV 4600]]'' [[bridge]] crew cut open a W.S.K.R. to make creative use of it during a search-and-rescue operation {{ep|Bad Water}}.]]
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| Whiskers provide a detailed, real-time view of the surroundings, allowing the crew to monitor the positions and movements of other vessels. The technology is used to track other submarines and assess potential threats, such as the renegade Typhoon sub. The "Whiskers" can be used in attack scenarios, as seen when the ''[[SeaQuest DSV|seaQuest]]'' is preparing to fire on ''[[Delta 4]]''. The Whiskers data is displayed as scrolling text on the forward screens of the bridge, showing the data that is informing the crew's decisions.
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| Whiskers are also, relaying data that can be used to identify and lock onto targets for weapons systems. The system is sophisticated enough to distinguish between different types of vessels and to recognize when a target is locked. There is a sense that the data provided by Whiskers is not always perfect, as the crew is sometimes caught by surprise despite using the technology, indicating that it is not infallible.
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| == Usage ==
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| [[File:DSV - W.S.K.R. on Bridge.jpg|thumb|A W.S.K.R. satellite is hoisted into the cavity of the central navigation plot, so that it can be hooked directly into ''[[seaQuest DSV 4600]]'''s [[bridge]] consoles {{ep|Bad Water}}.]]
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| After ''seaQuest DSV 4600'' is crippled by a freak lightning strike of its up-world [[communications buoy]], a Whisker is brought aboard and its power source used to power ''seaQuest''<nowiki/>'s various bridge stations. Due to limitations, each station was only given 60 seconds to operate at full functionality {{Ep|Bad Water}}.
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| ''seaQuest''<nowiki/>'s Whiskers are used in mine sweeping a trench during rescue operations for the sinking [[I.C.S.S. Wayfarer|''I.C.S.S.'' ''Wayfarer'']] capsule, necessitating their replacement after they are destroyed {{Ep|Better Than Martians}}.
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| Following contact with an [[M-100 alien simulacrum|alien simulacrum]] from an [[ancient starship]], the whiskers are aligned in a "stacked array" to transmission a welcome message to [[M-100]]; the message was received by [[M-100 alien|members of this species]] a year later {{Ep|Such Great Patience|The Fear That Follows}}.
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| == W.S.K.R. ==
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| [[File:DSV - 4600-I W.S.K.R.S. Display.jpg|thumb|W.S.K.R.S. information display, with Whiskers performing isometric plotting of sea topogrophy {{Ep|To Be or Not to Be}}.]]
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| ''seaQuest'' is designed to operate three W.S.K.R.S. at a time. Each has a designation:
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| {| class="wikitable sortable"
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| |+W.S.K.R. Assignments
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| !W.S.K.R.
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| !Callsign
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| !Initialism
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| |-
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| |#1
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| |Mother
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| |Mo
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| |-
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| |#2
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| |Junior
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| |Jr
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| |-
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| |#3
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| |Loner
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| |Lo
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| |}
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| == Notes ==
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| [[File:DSV - W.S.K.R. 1 Display of Delta 4.jpg|thumb|A W.S.K.R. feed with various filters applied to it, showing the digital silhouette of the renegade ''[[Delta 4]]'' {{ep|To Be or Not to Be}}.]]
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| * When a particular satellite's feed is provided on an information display, it is referred to as "W.S.K.R." in a singular form, despite the fact that the acronym "W.S.K.R.S." is also a singular form.
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| * During the [[Livingston Trench Incident]], four W.S.K.R.S. orbit ''seaQuest.''
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| * [[Nathan Bridger]] notes that they were previously dubbed "roving periscopes" {{Ep|To Be or Not to Be}}.
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| [[Category:A to Z]]
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| [[Category:Technology]]
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| [[Category:SeaQuest Equipment]]
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