Sol
- Distance to Heliopause: 15:4
- Mass: 2:10
- Radius: 696:2
To explain this distance, see the Kilopower Scale section.
Sol is a Sci-Fi name for the star we know as the Sun. The name is in the public domain as it is the Latin word for the Sun and so has been around longer than the law. It arrived because the Solar System is both a name and the object of the name, creating confusion, i.e. The Solar System is a solar system. Other solar systems are not The Solar System. The Solar System is also the Sol system.
Equally, Terran to describe humans is also a Sci-Fi name, where the Latin word for the Earth is Terra. Sol and Terran are not my invented names but I do view them as being in the public domain and free use. To be clear, I have no authority on this, it's just my interpretation. I also didn't invent the name 'Belter' but I also view it as a name that belongs in the public domain as it is from 'Asteroid Belt' which is an asteroid belt. I intend to track down its origin and clear it with the original author but for now I see it as available for public use.
Belter’s are everywhere in the Sol System, although there may only be a handful of them in a specified location.
Mercury
- Distance to Sol: 58:3
- Mass: 328:7
- Radius: 2.44:2
Purely a HA scientific outpost that studies Sol. No one is really interested in living there apart from the occasional Belter who attaches their compound to the main HAS base, for mutual support.
Venus
- Distance to Sol: 108:3
- Mass: 4.86:8
- Radius: 6:2
There are some Fire Element Belter religious groups that settled on Venus and also offer tourism.
Earth
- Distance to Sol: 150:3
- Mass: 6:8
- Radius: 6.371:2
I wish to write unrestricted stories. I also do not want to cause offence. To that end, I've minimally covered the status of the Earth, opting to write my stories about things in space. In a broad summary, the Earth is largely unchanged, including population (due to migration into space), except that it is cleaner, less polluted and there is a single overarching political body called the Humanitarian Alliance. In my fiction, politically, the HA is to the UN what the UN is to the League of Nations, where the UN is shining bright light in this world. The HA is the new authority, which means I can criticise any fictional errors without implying it onto the actual UN. For the record, I fully support the UN, especially UNICEF.
The Moon
- Distance to Earth: 384.4:2
- Mass: 73:7
- Radius: 1.7:2
The Moon is a moon but the name stays as it is historical and iconic. There is no iconic name for the solar system, except perhaps Sol. The Moon is populated much like you'd imagine, with glass domes and thick walled habitats. It is HA sovereign territory but original settlement is considered regionally governed under the settlers nation, much like post WW2 Germany, but without any hostility.
Mars
- Distance to Sol: 228:3
- Mass: 639:7
- Radius: 3.39:2
Mars is the military home of the HA, known as HAM. The Moon was ruled out as with the momentum and scale of large objects, military operations could make a small error and wipe out a city, and that is just from a craft falling to Earth. Mars, being barren is a prime location for war games and training. There is a Belter settlement on one side of Mars, which the HAM joined for barracks and became the centre of life. On the literal other side of Mars is the HAM headquarters, entirely a non-civilian zone. It is generally felt that Mars was always going the military headquarters due to human attachment to the mythology of the God of War, but the HAM point to it being entirely a practical decision. It is not on Earth and so is free from political issues. It is not near enough to Earth to risk the accidental killing billions, yet it is near enough to allow a rapid defence if necessary.
Sol Tzu is the Commander and Chief of the HAM and in being an advanced EI, holds some body as resident of the HQ. Sol Tzu is also often referred to as ‘The God of War’, a term ou is flattered by but flatly disagrees as to its accuracy. When pressed he once said ‘I am but human’. With final say on use of all WMD’s many are relieved that no biological can independently use them. Many are also freaked out by Sol Tzu holding that power and much support for EI Die is derived from this.
Ceres
- Distance to Sol: 416:3
- Mass: 0.9:7
- Radius: Equatorial 490:1, Polar 455:1
Has a small population of Belter Earth religious groups, all have the intention of pushing it into the asteroid belt to grow it into a more planet sized object. To push it, mined rock is thrown to the surface. Consequentially, no real settlement exists on it.
The Asteroid Belt
- Distance to Sol: 420:3
- Mass: 6:7 (Estimated)
- Radius: As Distance
Jupiter
- Distance to Sol: 779:3
- Mass: 1.9:9
- Radius: 70:2
Jupiter is extensively mined for Hydrogen and Helium. The mines exist as orbiting outposts that send down craft into the atmosphere. The occasional mine drags a tail with thrusters to keep altitude, but this is very inefficient and only the odd old prototype does this. Portals are created at Jupiter for being both safely away from Earth and to allow easy refuelling of Punch Runners and shipping in general.
Saturn
- Distance to Sol: 1.4:4
- Mass: 567:8
- Radius: 58:2
Mostly a tourist destination, Saturn is surprisingly undeveloped, especially as the unusual cultural occurrence led to the rings to be considered sacred. Those who believe in the Elements don’t mine there and those who don’t (most of them) don’t mine there out of cultural respect, respect for believers and out of self-interest. Some Belters who proposed to mine there found their contracts being cancelled which led to them being considered a greater financial risk. It is an Earth holy site away from Earth.
Uranus
- Distance to Sol: 2.9:4
- Mass: 84:8
- Radius: 25.3:2
There is some gas mining and scientific study. Just enough to support each other. Some trading is done when Neptune is far away.
Neptune
- Distance to Sol: 4.5:4
- Mass: 102:8
- Radius: 24.6:2
As the outer Gas-Ice Giant, Neptune is the stopping and trading place for those who whom seek to live on the outer edge of the solar system. The market place is a massive enterprise with all sorts of ‘grey’ trading going on on the periphery. Black markets don’t survive here as HATTER easily closes any that try to become established. The Astry also keeps a base here but treads lightly at Intelligence’s request, as observation is more valuable than enforcement. The HA Police have a real headache at Neptune.
Pluto (excluding Charon)
- Distance to Sol: 5.9:4
- Mass: 13:7
- Radius: 1.184:1
A dwarf planet that is home to a religious order that worships time. They are quite open and friendly and run Pluto as a tourist destination. Belters visit to have the experience of 'a sky without a sun', as Sol is so dim.
Kuiper Belt
- Distance to Sol: 6:4
- Mass: 60:7 – 600:7 (Estimated)
- Radius: As Distance
The same as the asteroid belt but colder, darker, less populated, less developed and economically isolated. If you want to hide, this is where you go. Fune Kaisha are based out here, but only they know it, although it is strongly suspected by Intelligence. With plenty of room still in the Asteroid Belt and the risk of criminal interference in your life, few Belters choose to live in the Kuiper Belt.
Oort Cloud
- Distance to Sol: 8:5
- Mass: Between 60:8 and 600:8 Estimated
- Radius: As Distance
The Oort Cloud makes the Kuiper Belt look like the Asteroid Belt. Being outside the Heliopause, it is considered interstellar space. It is so virtually unsettled as to be considered crime free, if not human free. Astronaut’s explore here but always return home. Even Belters that move out here tend to eventually move back to the Asteroid Belt.