///From the author: Solar Space is the traditional name for the regions of the Solar System known to be settled by humans. As of 2389, there are approximately 11.4 billion people living in Solar Space, and the various conflicts of the 24th century have kept them all in tension for decades. The two main superpowers in Solar Space are the ICA and the Alliance, which differ ideologically and which both seek to control the entire solar system and its resources. Only time will tell if their conflict will undo all the progress humanity has made in the past 400 years...
The Situation in Solar Space
In the late 24th century, most of the inner solar system is controlled by the Interplanetary Cooperative Administration (ICA), an intergovernmental organization founded by the United Nations in the aftermath of the 2049 Lunar War to manage all affairs beyond Earth. In this era, Earth has weathered all manner of hardships, but total oblivion has been avoided thanks to the rise of the Community of Gaia (CoG), an anarcho-communist organization dedicated to revitalizing Earth through sustainable means. Its opponents in the Progressive Union of Gaia, meanwhile, seek a more classically Marxist approach to reconstruction
Mars and Ceres are the two central worlds in the ICA, and their partnership (with the Confederation of the Main Belt providing raw materials and the United Nations of Mars processing them into completed products, especially military hardware) is a powerhouse which dwarfs any other in Solar Space. Other important worlds include Mercury, which is currently being strip-mined by groups like the Tianshan Mining Corporation; Venus, which is a home to all manner of shady secret ICA R&D programs; and Uranus, a rare outer system stronghold which provides most of the Spacer Corps' hyrogen and helium needs
Much of the outer system, meanwhile, is loyal to the Alliance of Free Worlds, a rising superpower which seeks to dethrone the ICA as the dominant force in Solar Space. The Alliance emerged during the Draconist Wars, which saw an ultranationalist faction called the Divisão Revolucionária da Assembleia de Callisto (DRAC) fighting to remove the ICA from power in the colonial frontier. In the aftermath, the Alliance rose swiftly to counteract the ICA, fueled largely by massive military spending and by its near monopoly on hydrogen and helium mining. This latter industry also fuels the Alliance Armada which patrols the outer system.
As of 2389, the Alliance and the ICA are locked in a tense Cold War following an interplanetary conflict called the Frontier Wars, which saw each side competing to control the limitless wealth of the outer system and the valuable real estate of Earth. This conflict saw fighting across the solar system, and eight years it ended in a stalemate, the Alliance is fighting a guerrilla force called the Colonial Liberation Front, which is secretly armed by the ICA. The only question is whether this conflict will make the dormant Frontier Wars go hot once more…
The Layout of Solar Space
1 - Inner sector
Population: 2.1 million people
Capital: LARES-1 cluster, Mercury L5 point (population: 529 thousand)
Other major locations: LARES-2 cluster (pop. 426 thousand); LARUNDA cluster (pop. 465 thousand); Mercury mining stations (multiple - total pop. 713 thousand)
Political affiliation: neutral (Mercury is owned by the Tianshan Mining Corporation)
Major economic output: solar energy transmittal; raw materials (metal ores, etc.)
2 - Venusian sector
Population: 13.8 million people
Capital: Niobium station, Venus orbit (population: approx. 2.3 million)
Other major locations: Zenobia station, Venus orbit (pop. 1.6 million); Aphrodite cluster, Venus L5 point (pop. 1.4 million); Kelvin Station, Venus L4 point (ICA black project site)
Political affiliation: ICA (Venus is officially a host site for ICA/IDC black projects)
Major economic output: weapons/technological research (primary)
3 - Gaian sector
Population: 10.45 billion people
Capital: none (C.O.G. headquarters is in New Jakarta; P.UG. HQ is in São Paulo)
Other major locations: Paris, Union Populaire d'Europe (pop. 21.7 million); Delhi Metroplex, United Republic of India (pop. 42.6 million); Kinshasa, East African Federation (pop. 39.4 million)
Political affiliation: mixed (split between Community of Gaia and Progressive Union of Gaia)
Major economic output: agriculture; light manufacturing; raw materials
3a - Luna
Population: 50 million people
Capital: Armstrong City, Federal Republic of Tranquillitatis (population: 5.3 million)
Other major locations: New Beijing, Tianshan Republic (pop. 4.4 million); Pearyville, Boreal Republic (pop. 2.7 million people); Apollo Station, Earth-Moon L5 cluster (pop. 1.6 million)
Political affiliation: ICA (Luna is the ICA’s official political HQ in the inner solar system)
Major economic output: shipping/processing of mercantile orders; service sector
4 - Martian sector
Population: 94 million people
Capital: Aldrin City, Marineris Republic (population: approx. 10.5 million)
Other major locations: Nereidum, Argyre Republic (pop. 4.8 million); Orleena, Republic of Hellas (pop. 6.2 million); Martian Military Complex, Commonwealth of Tharsis (IDC HQ)
Political affiliation: ICA (United Nations of Mars is the Spacer Corps’ main military supplier)
Major economic output: heavy industry; materials processing; major shipping hub
5 - Main Asteroid Belt
Population: 569 million people
Capital: various (the Republic of Ceres is the capital of the Confederation; pop. 5 million)
Other major locations: Port Divalia, Vesta Commune (pop. 760 thousand); Asimov Station (O’Neil cluster, pop. 820 thousand); Station Italia, Vesta Commune (pop. 640 thousand)
Political affiliation: mixed (Ceres is the capital of the ICA, but Vesta is with the Alliance)
Major economic output: raw materials (esp. metal ores); shipping; manufacturing
6 - Jovian sector
Population: 114 million people
Capital: various (Syrené, People’s Republic of Callisto is the capital the Alliance; pop. 6 million)
Other major locations: Port Akerley, People’s Republic of Ganymede (pop. 2.6 million); Port Midas, Free State of Europa (pop. 1.7 million); Ochoania, Free State of Io (pop. 230 thousand)
Political affiliation: mostly Alliance (Europa & Amalthea are with the ICA; Himalia is neutral)
Major economic output: raw materials; manufacturing; shipping hub for outer system
7 - Saturn sector
Population: 143 million people
Capital: various (Samarkand, Commonwealth of Titan is de facto; pop. 8.2 million)
Other major locations: Knossos, United Communes of Saturn (pop. 2.4 million); Yanwang, Republic of Tethys & Mimas (pop. 1.9 million); Enceladus Biological & Scientific Preserve
Political affiliation: mixed (UCS & ROTAM are with the Alliance; Titan is partitioned with the ICA)
Major economic output: manufacturing; raw materials (esp. helium); cryo-computation (Titan)
8 - Uranus sector
Population: 4.9 million people
Capital: Port Taurus, Titania is capital of the Protectorate of Uranus (population: 350 thousand)
Other major locations: Port Bogle, Puck (pop. 220 thousand); Port Caliban, Miranda (pop. 180 thousand); USS Pontus, Uranus-Titania L5 station (pop. 140 thousand)
Political affiliation: ICA (Titania is a major IDC outpost; USS Pontus is a major shipping hub)
Major economic output: hydrogen & helium mining; orbital industry/manufacturing
9 - Neptune sector
Population: 2.2 million people
Capital: Unkulunkulu, Triton for the Federation of Neptune & Triton (pop. 230 thousand)
Other major locations: IPS Platon, Neptune-Triton L4 station (pop. 120 thousand); Special Training Facility JOTUNHEIM, Triton (ICA black site); Draconist exclusion zone
Political affiliation: neutral (officially; Triton hosts facilities paid for by both ICA & Alliance)
Major economic output: orbital industry; shipping/mercantile trade; refugee harboring
10 - Kuiper Belt
Population: 37 million people
Capital: de facto is Port Acheron, Republic of Acheron (population: 190 thousand)
Other major locations: Haumea Dependency, Eris Settlement Directory, Sedna colony (Alliance); Outer Legion, Estação Espacial de Absolus (DRAC); Quaoar Regency (neutral)
Political affiliation: mixed (mostly neutral, but with significant holdings by the Alliance)
Major economic output: illicit R&D, resource gathering, outer system/interstellar shipping
The Two Superpowers of Solar Space
The Interplanetary Cooperative Administration
Constituents:
Note: the primary constituents of the ICA are both terrestrial member states of the United Nations and interplanetary nation-states which are party to the Tyndall Treaty
The Community of Gaia: a collection of independent “clades” which emerged in the 23rd century during the long collapse referred to as the Fall; by 2389, many of these have been absorbed into the Progressive Union of Gaia, a more hardline counterpart to the CoG
Modern Tyndall Treaty signatories include 26 nation-states in interplanetary space, each one built up from colonial settlements across Solar Space (including the United Nations of Mars; the Confederation of the Main Belt; the Galilean Union; and more)
Background Notes:
Founded in 2051 by provision of the United Nations to provide for, “the legislation, regulation, and oversight of all offworld socioeconomic affairs conducted by terrestrial nations”
Established by the Tyndall Treaty, passed by the UN on 23 December 2051; this document contains 23 articles, each of which governs a different aspect of interplanetary society
Constitutes both traditional nation-states and Protectorates–such as the Protectorate of Uranus–which exist as semi-independent republics under ICA umbrella
Vital Statistics:
Capital: various; Central Governance Center, Nereidia, Republic of Ceres (de facto); Note: all local/subsidiary capitals still carry own autonomous authority
Population: approx. 6.36 billion (about 56 percent of Solar Space), including 94 million from the United Nations of Mars and 371 million from the Confederation of the Main Belt
Interplanetary Defense Corps: strength as of 2389 is approx. 3.2 million personnel, pulled from various Tyndall Treaty nations on Earth, including roughly 900 thousand from the United Nations of Mars; this is in addition to plus 8.2 million personnel from the militias of various nation-states of the Solar Union; primary HQ is the AEROCOM facility on Mars
The Alliance of Free Worlds
Constituents:
Signatories of the Allied Worlds Pact include the People’s Republic of Callisto; the Unified Republics of Ganymede; the Commonwealth of Titan; and many others in the asteroid belt, on Earth, and elsewhere, plus the Zharan Collective (since 2379)
Background Notes:
Officially organized in 2337 as a result of the Allied Worlds Pact, passed in the Callistan Parliament with the support of the local governments of Titan and Ganymede
Intended to offer an alternative forum for organizations and nation-states opposed to the values of the ICA and centered on the “Four Precepts” (Unity, Equity, Loyalty, and Vigilance) seen as vital to life in the frontier (traditional name for the region beyond Mars)
Funded & helped coordinate Draconist activity during the Draconist Crisis (2324-2361) and fought nearly 12 years of Frontier Wars with the ICA to determine control of Solar Space
Vital Statistics:
Capital: The Citadel of the Allied Worlds, Syrené, People’s Republic of Callisto
Population: 3.62 billion, including 53 million from Callisto, 42 million from Titan, and 40 million from Ganymede (the "Big Three" worlds), and many more elsewhere in Solar Space, plus roughly 70 million zharans; in total, about 32 percent of Solar Space
Free Worlds Armada (the Armada): standby strength as of 2389 is believed to be approx. 3.9 million personnel, a large majority of them from the “Big Three” settled worlds, plus about 4.2 million from the Zharan Armed Forces; primary HQ is The Citadel on Callisto
The Minor Players in Solar Space
Tianshan Mining Corporation:
An asteroid mining cartel which became wealthy enough by the 22nd century to essentially buy a planet. Through an agreement with the United Nations of Mars, they did just that: they would have rights to nearly all mining claims on Mercury, provided that twenty percent of all material mined went to the bustling Martian materials industry
The Venusian Advanced Research Institution
Venus has long held a place of infamy in Solar Space, owing to the existence of Kelvin Station. Built in the early 22nd century, Kelvin Station was the first large-scale IDC black projects facility built in orbit of Venus - and it would not be the last. The VARI was conceived to give an umbrella to this research in the years since its inception
The Community of Gaia
Many of Earth’s nation-states faded away through the 21st and 22nd centuries as stressors forced the people there to adapt and refocus their efforts on basic survivall. By the time the Harrison Accords were signed in 2301, the Community of Gaia was set up as the main overseer of Earth’s recovery and reconstruction as a “better society”
The Progressive Union of Gaia
The PUG broke with the CoG over disagreements as to how Earth should be governed. Still, they resisted cooperation with the Alliance until the latter forced the ICA to the negotiating table at the end of the Frontier Wars - since then, the PUG has leaned more and more towards the Alliance to remove offworld influence from Earth
The United Nations of Mars
Founded in 2169 by a group of Martian pioneer settlements, the UNOM quickly rose to peer status with the nations of the UN. Over the next two hundred years, Mars fought a series of conflicts for control of the outer system's vast resources with Mars’ long-standing aspirations most recently threatened by the emergence of the Alliance of Free Worlds
The Confederation of the Main Belt
Founded in 2192 during the prosperity of the 22nd century, the Confederation has long maintained a monopoly on deep space resources across the inner and outer system. As a result, this Ceres-led organization is among richest and most influential in Solar Space by the 24th century, and are therefore the chief power in the ICA
The Republic of Ceres
As the oldest and largest of the semi-independent republics within the CMB, the Republic of Ceres also maintains a predominant position in the politics of Solar Space. Its people enjoy a prosperous lifestyle, based largely on their control of deep space commercial interests and the might of the Spacer Corps at their disposal
The Vesta Commune
The Commune was founded in 2347, and has only lasted as long as it has thanks to its partnership with the Alliance of Free Worlds. During the Frontier Wars, Vesta has been a major shipyard and port for the Alliance in the Main Belt, and the various worlds of the Commune have been an indispensible supply of metal ore for the Armada
The Galilean Union
After the turmoil of the 21st century, a surge of new nation-states sprang up in the 22nd century under the oversight of the ICA, with the Union a prime example. With the fall of Callisto to Draconism in 2324, it became a shadow of its former self, and existed as little more than a puppet state by the ascent of the Alliance to power in 2339
The Draconist movement
Draconism arose as part of the surge of nationalism which swept through the frontier following the passage of the Harrison Accords in 2301. From there, it spread across the outer system, and by the time it was stamped out by the ICA and the Alliance, it had irreparably changed Solar Space and paved the way for the Frontier Wars
The United Communes of Saturn
Following the Pact of Union which formed the Alliance in 2339, the UCS rose to a position of prominence in Saturn system politics. Its citizens enjoy a higher than average standard of living for the outer system thanks to their native agricultural and manufacturing sectors, which have been well-funded as part of Project Frontier
The Republic of Tethys and Mimas
Born under the post-2339 reconstruction overseen by the Alliance, the ROTAM did not enjoy the same success as the United Communes of Saturn due mostly to the relative lack of local good leadership. As a result, by the late 2360s, with the Frontier Wars looming, its leadership was replaced with a military junta by an act of the Presidium
The Protectorate of Uranus
Uranus was long sought after for its supply of hydrogen and helium, but it still took until 2307 for the settlement there to advance to a point at which the ICA would grant the colony protectorate status. This development was spurred on largely by AEROCOM’s post-Solar Civil War obsession with securing fuel for the thirsty IDC Fleet
The Federation of Neptune and Triton
The Federation is among the smallest nation-states in Solar Space, owing largely to its immense distance from the inner system. Still, its population has exploded since the start of the Draconist Wars, thanks to an immense influx of refugees from the Jovian and Saturnian sectors, a trend which has continued through the current crisis
The Republic of Acheron
Despite only emerging in 2263, the Republic of Acheron had grown into a powerhouse of outer system politics by the time of the Frontier Wars. By that point it was already among the richest and most populous of the “free republics” to have sprung up there, and became a major hub for refugees during in the long turmoil of that period
More to come, when it's ready...
This will go great in the paperback version of "The Erebus Effect!"