History Part 5.5

Current Situation

In 2029, a mere 30 years after the Arcadia fell to Earth and the realities of interstellar life became public knowledge, some of the original leaders of the UN-EDF are still alive and active.

So much has happened so quickly, that for many on Earth it seems almost unreal. The colonization of the solar system has required thousands of people to live and work off planet. Yet for those on Earth daily life seems very much unchanged. 

People who were 20 when it all started, have matured in the new reality. They are now 50 and many have raised families. Their children never knowing a time when space travel was not with in easy reach. While a few hundred people have been born and raised "up there" the vast majority of Humanity still calls Earth home.  Perhaps this is the last generation where this will be true.

Near Earth.

There are several space stations in orbit of Earth; Gate Way is by far the largest, resembling the classic station from the film 2001. It is a hub of activity with a dozen flights each day.  Further out, at Lagrange Point is the newly built O’Neill cylinder, Jack Station. A huge habitat 5 km in diameter and 20 km long. As with most big stations rotational force is used for gravity rather than GCUs. 

 UN-EDF Note:  Earth Defense includes the entire solar system, but let us be honest, 90% of our effort is devoted to protecting the home world. There are some 100,000 automated defense satellites and 12 manned "space forts" in 2 zones, the inner orbital area at about 50,000 km up and the outer area at about 200,000 km.

 

On the Moon.

There are several bases, most belonging to the UN-EDC; Alpha base with its mining facilities and ship yards is the largest. Originally built for just a few hundred staff, it has been expanded many times (mostly underground) to now house some 5,000 inhabitants. 

Several nations do have their own stations, like the USA’s Buck Rogers Base. The situation on the moon is a great example of the over all pattern of Human activity. Most countries have contributed to the United Nations effort, but the biggest few also run their own operations. Nations are not the only ones with "privet" bases on the Moon. Several corporations have industrial sites there and a few special interest groups have locations too. 

In orbit of the moon is the giant assembly yard of the Zheng Hee Corporation, which builds big ships and other items for use in the solar system. 

Mars.

Sizable colonizing missions have set up on Mars. Including the one to transform its moon Phobos into a space station. In this case the UN has played only a small role, that or dispute arbiter.

Most missions have been national or private ventures. With the Russian Sarra Base being the first established. Followed by USA, Japan, the EU, India and China. Among the privet ventures is a sizable Mormon colony.  In total about 30,000 people now live on Mars. 

 

Asteroid mining is almost totally in the hands of the corporate sector. They use a lot of robots. 

Jupiter.
The major moons have been several bases on them. The Chinese colony on Callisto being the first and largest.  In a fitting move the European Union occupied Europa. Io was claimed by the Arabian League, while Ganymede was given to the South American Alliance.  

Saturn.
The UN-EDF claim Titan as its exclusive territory, setting up a base and a ship yard.  

The Venus Project.
The UN has set up a science station in orbit to explore the terraforming process that will allow us to make Venus into a habitable world. It is a very long term project.
 

Although many people spend many years off Earth and a few have been born and raised up there, most consider Earth their home and plan to return to it. Very few of the above listed bases are true colonies in the sense that most of its population are permanent residents.