View source for Comm-Link:Galactic Guide - Terra

Attention subscribers! There’s a new issue of [[Jump Point]] available in the subscriber area of your account. This month, we focus on the [[UEE Marines]]: you’ll see the creation of the Marine character model, learn about the organization and the military-focused Kilian System! There’s also a feature on the development of the economy and all-new exclusive fiction.

Subscribers get early access to several Jump Point articles each month and exclusive fiction and making-of contact not available elsewhere! If you’re interested in subscribing, please [https://robertsspaceindustries.com/pledge/centurion-sub click here]. Today we’re releasing a piece from last month’s Jump Point exploring the [[Terra system|Terra System]]:

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== Terra System ==

Terra, shining jewel of the [[UEE|United Empire of Earth]]! [[Terra III]], commonly referred to by its star’s name, has made great strides towards becoming the cultural focus of the Empire. While die-hard Earth loyalists would dispute such a claim, there is no doubt that Terra has its finger on the pulse of the civilized galaxy. From the increasing inflow of megacorporate HQs to the system to the influence of Terran originated music on popular culture, Terra is unquestionably the closest thing to a rival Earth has ever produced.

== History ==

The Terra system, then designated 342A, was first charted in [[2508]] and explored as part of a five-system “long run” research expedition in 2516. When the first long-distance magnetic relay images of the system’s third planet resolved, the explorer crew immediately knew they had hit it big. A natural superearth located squarely in the star’s green band, Terra III was immediately recognizable for it’s astounding similarity to an untouched Earth. Lush, verdant and brimming with natural resources, Terra’s colonization was immediately obvious. Within two years no fewer than seven colonial sloships had been dispatched to the world.

Astrophysicists soon staked their own claim with a startling discovery: Terra system’s unique location and makeup meant that it was a strong jump point hub. Like Sol, Terra is a G-type main sequence star. Unlike Sol, its outer planetary system never formed. Without the mass diffusion caused by gas giants and with the star’s location in the center of a dense stellar cluster, extremely stable jump points arose easily. Thus far, five jump points have been charted and scientists believe that a sixth is almost a certainty. (Theoretically, as many as twenty-four could exist, although the odds against most of them ever being stable enough for transit are astronomical.) Exobiologists, too, had an early interest in the system: massive stone ruins clearly indicative of intelligent life were discovered on Terra III’s southern continental mass. No other evidence of this ancient civilization has yet been uncovered on the planet, creating one of the most-debated archaeological mysteries of our time.

Terra III was the twelfth planet colonized by the United Empire of Earth. In four centuries, owing to its jump network and location, it has evolved into a massive trade hub. [[Kiel system|Kiel]], [[Baker system|Baker]], [[Kilian system|Kilian]] and other name systems are short hops from the star. The world’s plentiful resources, cultivated carefully so as not to impact the environment, have fueled the Empire’s [[Eastern Expansion Program]].

== [[Aero]] (Terra I) ==

A non-descript rock world incredibly close to its star. Although rich in certain minerals, attempts to harness resources on Aero have been largely unsuccessful due to its proximity to the sun. Even the harshest environment suits are incapable of sustaining Human life long enough to conduct factory maintenance on a world with a 95 Standard Earth Day orbital period.

== [[Pike]] (Terra II) ==

The mining efforts on Pike, on the other hand, are a masterpiece of Human engineering. One of the most mineral rich planets in the galaxy, Pike is dotted with thousands of unmanned “cities” churning out tons of platinum, mercury, iron and gold every day. With three times the orbital period of Aero, Pike is still incapable of sustaining Human life for an extended duration. Regardless, the lack of atmospheric storms and other weather events means that fully mobile robot machinery can operate with peak efficiency and requires very little downtime. The mines and refineries of Pike have been essential to fueling Terra’s expansion and to allowing Terra itself to remain relatively untouched.