Earth Station
Earth Station is an artificial orbital ring surrounding Earth. Constructed over the course of two years from 2295-2297 CE, it was the first orbital ring constructed in UNE space. The ring orbits at a distance of approximately 500 kilometres above Earth, and is connected to the planet with a series of repulsor-assisted space elevators. The largest space elevators are located close to the cities of Bogota, Nairobi, and Singapore, which have become critical planetary infrastructure hubs since the ring's construction.
Proposals for an orbital ring surrounding Earth were made as early as the 21st century CE, but technology did not allow for the construction of such a station until the mid 2200s CE. Initial planning began in 2281 CE, and construction infrastructure was first established in 2284 CE. A total of 48 construction platforms were established in the Sol System, which produced segments of the ring. Much of the material for the construction came from outside the Sol System, including the factories of Horizon. When construction of the segments was completed in 2295 CE, the assembly of the ring itself took an additional six months, while creating the ring's biosphere took an additional eighteen.
Including both the Earthward- and Sunward-facing sides of the ring, there are over three million square kilometres of habitable area, slightly less than the landmass of the Republic of India on Earth. Approximately one third of the habitable area is water, while the rest is continental-climate land. The station has a permanent population of approximately 400 million, who trend towards the middle or upper class of UNE society. Large parts of Earth Station are set aside for wildlife preserves, and different habitats from across Earth and UNE space are created in different parts of the ring. Approximately 300 million people live on the Earthward-facing side of the station, while 100 million live on the Sunward-facing side. Additionally, many millions of temporary workers migrate to the station for employment, taking shuttles or the space elevators for their commute.
The Sunward-facing side of Earth Station is home to thousands of docks, port facilities, and shipyards. Most large cargo ships prefer to dock at Earth Station instead of descending to earth, as orbital docking is significantly faster, cheaper, and easier than atmospheric descents. The station's command centre is a large, disc-shaped structure 75 kilometres in diameter. It also houses much of the infrastructure of the station, such as life support, main communications arrays, gravity generators, and power plants.
Proposals for an orbital ring surrounding Earth were made as early as the 21st century CE, but technology did not allow for the construction of such a station until the mid 2200s CE. Initial planning began in 2281 CE, and construction infrastructure was first established in 2284 CE. A total of 48 construction platforms were established in the Sol System, which produced segments of the ring. Much of the material for the construction came from outside the Sol System, including the factories of Horizon. When construction of the segments was completed in 2295 CE, the assembly of the ring itself took an additional six months, while creating the ring's biosphere took an additional eighteen.
Including both the Earthward- and Sunward-facing sides of the ring, there are over three million square kilometres of habitable area, slightly less than the landmass of the Republic of India on Earth. Approximately one third of the habitable area is water, while the rest is continental-climate land. The station has a permanent population of approximately 400 million, who trend towards the middle or upper class of UNE society. Large parts of Earth Station are set aside for wildlife preserves, and different habitats from across Earth and UNE space are created in different parts of the ring. Approximately 300 million people live on the Earthward-facing side of the station, while 100 million live on the Sunward-facing side. Additionally, many millions of temporary workers migrate to the station for employment, taking shuttles or the space elevators for their commute.
The Sunward-facing side of Earth Station is home to thousands of docks, port facilities, and shipyards. Most large cargo ships prefer to dock at Earth Station instead of descending to earth, as orbital docking is significantly faster, cheaper, and easier than atmospheric descents. The station's command centre is a large, disc-shaped structure 75 kilometres in diameter. It also houses much of the infrastructure of the station, such as life support, main communications arrays, gravity generators, and power plants.
Founding Date
2295-2297 CE
Type
Orbital, Halo / Ringworld
Parent Location
Owning Organization
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