Proper embedding into a unit lattice (Q919019)

Given \(r\le n\), for which numbers \(a\) do there exist pairwise orthogonal vectors \(f_1,\ldots,f_r\) of squared length \(a\) in the standard integral lattice with orthonormal basis \(e_1,\ldots,e_n\) such that no \(e_i\) is orthogonal to all \(f_j\)? This is a famous open problem for \(r=1\), \(n=3\) (sums of three non-zero squares). The author gives the answer for the cases (1) \(r=1\), \(n\ne 3\), (2) \(r=2\), (3) \(r=3\), \(n\ne 5,6\) (without proof for the latter case). No references are given; cf. \textit{E. Grosswald} [Representations of integers as sums of squares. New York etc.: Springer-Verlag (1985; Zbl 0574.10045)] for the well-known case (1).