Orbital Satellite Laser

An OSL satellite in orbit

The Orbital Satellite Laser (shortened as OSL) is an atmospheric satellite-based laser system developed by General Resource Limited, appearing in Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere. The OSL itself takes the shape of a large satellite, being capable of striking designated attack spots with extreme accuracy.

In the early 2040s, General Resource made extensive research towards atmospheric laser technology. The Orbital Satellite Laser itself was developed by Dr. R. Hernandes.

The existence of the Orbital Satellite Laser was first revealed to the world during the Intercorporate War of 2040, where a Neucom Incorporated space shuttle gathered information regarding an OSL platform. Following this incident, Neucom claimed that the satellite was clearly of military use, while General Resource replied that the satellite was never intended for warfare. This incident did not lead to the removal of OSL technology from the war: halfway through the conflict, Neucom discovered a group of active OSL platforms in the atmosphere, which led to them deploying an experimental R-352 Sepia combat spacecraft from the Comona Islands in the middle of a GR siege.

Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere

The Orbital Satellite Laser is the centerpoint of NTSC-J missions "Zero Gravity" and "The Prize" and Export mission "Zero Gravity". In "Zero Gravity", the player must use the Neucom R-352 Sepia armed shuttle to intercept four General Resource OSL platforms in space (in the JP version's case, during a General Resource raid) before they enter the atmosphere. In "The Prize", the player must assist a Neucom fleet in salvaging a laser-bearing satellite that fell into the ocean north of Megafloat before GR forces do.

When firing the O.S.L., the beam fired from orbit is about twice as wide than an average fighter. However, when the General Resource OSLs in Zero Gravity fire, the laser is larger than the satellite itself. This size difference could be justified because high-energy lasers (like the R-352's Neutron Beam) dissipate when fired inside the atmosphere due to air, thus leading to a weakening of the laser's strength.

It can be argued that the Orbital Satellite Laser is one of the most powerful SP weapons of the Ace Combat series, barring even the Tactical Laser System of future installments. The TLS, however, is capable of destroying multiple targets in a single discharge (while the OSL is limited to one target per shot), as well as being able to simultaneously recharge and fire, while the former cannot lock on while reloading.

As a Player Weapon

The Orbital Satellite Laser is a secret unlockable weapon available in both versions of Ace Combat 3.

The OSL seems to have two separate load times depending on the target selected. For example, if the OSL was used on an aircraft, then switched to another aircraft, it would still be reloading. Conversely, if the first example was repeated, but the target was switched to a ground target, the weapon would still be active and could be fired.

Unlocking: Japanese version

The OSL is unlocked by achieving an A rank on all 52 missions on Hard difficulty (this also unlocks the UI-4054 Aurora, XR-900 Geopelia and other unplayable planes). It is the most powerful weapon in the game, capable of overwhelming even the most fortified targets (i.e. the UI-4053 Sphyrna) in a single shot. The OSL does have setbacks, however, as it takes a long time to recharge. As well, the weapon cannot be used in certain missions (i.e. Zero Gravity, for obvious reasons.)

Unlocking: Export version

The OSL is again unlocked by achieving an A rank on all 36 missions on Hard difficulty (this also unlocks the X-49 Night Raven). Its characteristics are exactly the same as in the Japanese version, being the most powerful weapon in the game.

However, there is a secret way to use it: when playing in the mission simulator, if you hold down triangle plus the start button just after you have selected your weapons, you will begin the mission with the OSL without having to unlock it (You can also get the Plasma Beam by holding X and start, or the Spread Bomb by holding O and start but only on the mission simulator and you can only use one of them for the mission).

Gallery

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  An OSL killing Nemo upon failure of Zero Gravity. Note the laser's size.

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  O.S.L. firing

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Trivia

• The Ace Combat 3 game files contain information about a "Homing Laser" weapon. Use of a Gameshark cheat device enables use of the Homing Laser. Upon examination, it becomes evident that the Homing Laser is a supposed prototype of the Orbital Satellite Laser, functioning in a nearly identical way. However, the Homing Laser is incomplete, lacking the laser beam model from the OSL, as well as being completely silent when firing. When fired, the target promptly explodes.
  • Alternatively, Homing Laser could be the "weapon"(referred as a spy pod) used during Target Acquisition, as flying with the cheat code activated the camera sound effect will be reacting even without a target selected. This is further reinforced by the HUD term LASER TARGETING