The Case Orange automated beacon is a Colonial Government technology designed to ensure a working government in the wake of a catastrophic event.
In the latter part of the Cylons' surprise attack on the Twelve Colonies, Secretary of Education Laura Roslin speaks with a fellow official on Caprica known only as "Jack", who tells that he is unsure of President Richard Adar's whereabouts during the attack, but notes that the president offered a complete unconditional surrender to the Cylons after the colony of Picon and the Colonial Fleet installations and ships located there were bombarded with nuclear bombs. The Cylons did not respond to the surrender request. Roslin does not hear from any other government officials after her conversation with Jack is interrupted when the starliner is attacked with a Cylon missile. ...continued...