Warsat

WARSATs are derelict satellites in orbit around multiple inner Solar System worlds. Constructed prior to the Collapse, these satellites periodically crash as a result of orbital decay. Such occurrences serve as the basis for a portion of public events.

Background
The precise origin and purpose of the WARSATs, as with other facets of pre-collapse civilization, remains shrouded in mystery. Consequently, any discussion of their history is to be considered speculative. However, their designation as 'WAR' satellites would suggest that they fulfilled a military function, possibly during the conflagration that preceded the Collapse. Furthermore, their appearance on mAultiple worlds suggest that WARSATs constituted an important feature of Golden Age military infrastructure.

The satellites themselves are 2-4 meters in diameter, exhibit a dark grey colouration, and are composed of numerous triangular segments that make them approximately spherical. Several large 'antennae-esque' structures are attached to the exterior of every WARSAT. Upon colliding with the ground at high velocity, WARSATs are badly damaged, causing the exterior plating to buckle and expose an interior of complex circuitry.

Public Event
One encounters WARSATs during public events on Earth, the Moon and Mars, where they serve as an objective that must be 'defended'.

Overview
As with other public events, the player will initially be advised that an event is forthcoming. After several seconds, this is followed by the rapid re-entry and crash of a WARSAT. To initiate the event, a player must reach (and interact with) the WARSAT within a minute of the crash. If this fails to occur, then the event is forgone. Contrastingly, should the WARSAT event be undertaken, then any other players in the vicinity may arrive and render assistance at any time.

Once a player's Ghost interacts with the crashed satellite, a "Defend the WARSAT" objective appears. The Guardians involved in the event must remain in close proximity to the WARSAT, (a region denoted by a white circle), until the Ghost's 'transmatting' process is complete. The rate at which said process transpires is determined by the number of Guardians in the aforementioned circle. Similar to other public events, Guardians have only a limited amount of time in which to obtain data from the satellite. Nonetheless, if all players present remain close to the WARSAT, then the event may be completed with ample time remaining.

To complicate matters, the WARSAT is beset by several waves of enemies, each more challenging than the last. Moreover, each contingent of foes is accompanied by an armed dropship. The composition of these waves is determined by both the public event's location, and the level of participating Guardians. However, the exact enemies faced may vary between playthroughs.

If the event participants succeed in transmatting the satellite before the timer expires, they shall be awarded gold tier status. Silver and bronze tiers are awarded if players fail to finish the event, but nonetheless complete a certain percentage of the transmat process.

Strategies
Arguably, WARSATs constitute one of the less challenging public events, particularly when playing alone. Despite this, there exists the possibility that a Guardian may be overwhelmed and forced to withdraw from the satellite. Consequently, the following is intended to facilitate gold-tier completion of the event.
 * In most instances, the dropships repeatedly spawn on one side of the WARSAT. Therefore, whilst they are present, it is advisable that the player(s) 'hug' the opposite side of the satellite.
 * It is possible to evade large groups of enemies by remaining on the opposite side of the WARSAT, thereby utilising the satellite as cover. Inquisitive foes will often circle around to you in small numbers, making them relatively easy to dispatch.
 * The appearance of a new dropship is (partially) manifested by slaying a certain number of the preceding wave. By refraining from slaying less challenging foes in earlier waves, players reduce the time during which they must contend with more aggressive opposition.
 * Guardians should only stray from the satellite when in fear of being overwhelmed by enemies.
 * As one may have deduced, close quarters weapons are exceedingly effective during this public event.