Terraforming

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Terraforming is a Planetary Engineering process which, over many years, converts a hostile world into a livable one.

  • While terraforming is technically possible at tech level 7-8, it doesn't become economically practical until tech level 10-12.
  • Terraforming is also known as:
    • Bioforming
    • Climate engineering
    • Earth shaping
    • Ecopoeisis (inital steps)
    • Geoengineering
    • Planetary engineering
    • Planetforming
    • Worldbending

Library Data Referral Tree

Please refer to the following AAB Library Data for more information:
Interstellar Colonization:

Description (Specifications)

Terraforming is most comminly done through the following practices:

  • Increasing hydrographics
  • Building or changing the atmosphere
  • Introducing plant and animal life

A Terraforming operation often consists of two to three stages, which vary from planet to planet.

Terraforming Candidates

The most commonly-encountered planets, which are strong terraforming candidates, have the following characteristics:

  • Either too little or too poisonous an atmosphere
  • No free standing water.
  • Its rotation is often too slow to give it a strong enough electro-magnetic field to keep out deadly solar radiation.
  • This slow rotation also tends to make days extremely hot and nights extremely cold.
  • The planet must also have no indigenous life-forms that could be harmed by the operation.

Process & Duration

A Terraforming operation consists of two to three stages, which vary from planet to planet.

  • Step 1. Hydrographic Adjustment: The first step in the Terraforming process is planetary bombardment with ice asteroids. The asteroids, consisting of frozen oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, and other gasses and liquids, are found in asteroid belts and the rings of gas giants. They are found and collected by belters, who, with the help of asteroid tugs and Mass-drivers, move them towards the planet which is to be terraformed. When the asteroids reach planetary orbit, Explosives are set on their surfaces to knock them to the planet's surface. Complex computers and starship escorts ensure that the asteroids fall on target. The asteroids naturally hit the planet's surface and melt, and over time begin to form oceans and an atmosphere about the World. The force of the impact (at the proper angles) tends to increase the planet's speed of rotation helping to build up its electromagnetic field and shorten its day to a comfortable length (20 to 30 hours).
    • Requirements: A standard crew of 1,000 workers are assumed to be employed by the operation although more or less workers will shorten or lengthen the amount of time required for change. They are usually equipped with about fifty cargo (tug) ships for asteroid towing and escort. Lookout stations both in orbit and on the planet's surface are set up for observation and control of the operation.
    • Duration: The first step takes approximately one year per hydrographic UWP rating desired to change.
    • Costs: Costs for the first step are extremely expensive, usually about Mcr10,000 per hydrographic UWP rating desired.
  • Step 2 Atmospheric Adjustment: The second step in the Terraforming process is used only on planets that already have atmospheres, but which are tainted or exotic. This step involves the use of genetically-engineered bacteria which ingest the harmful compounds in the atmosphere and excrete breathable gasses. The second step, when used, is less expensive but takes much longer.
    • Requirements: A small team of biologists equipped with several sophisticated labs and materials are required.
    • Duration: However the process takes 10 years if the atmosphere is very thin, 20 years if the atmosphere is thin, 30 years if the atmosphere is standard, and 40 years if it is dense.
    • Cost: The development of the proper bacteria takes three months and costs Mcr 2.5, and their introduction costs Mcr1.
  • Step 3. Biological Adjustment (Bio-seeding): The third and final Terraforming step is the introduction of plant and animal life to the world, usually at the same time as colonists.
    • Requirements: The third step requires numerous trips of plant seeds and animal embryos, usually stored in cryo suspension during transit, and revived at one of several sophisticated labs equipped with materials. Generally, the greatest successes come when the third step is overseen by a master ecological planetologist with a team of park rangers to oversee operations and collect data required for making adjustments. Most ecological planetologists will desire an orbital satellite network for comprehensive project monitoring.
    • Duration: The third step can take widely differing amounts of time ranging from several years to several decades.
    • Costs: The third step is a variable cost left up to the colonists, and cannot properly be priced.

History & Background (Dossier)

Several companies currently Terraform in the Imperium and surrounding area.

  • They are usually commissioned by local or the Imperial governments.

Selected Terraforming Businesses

Epochal Planetforming Technology Periods

No information yet available.

Worlds & Sectors (Astrography)

The locations of terraformed worlds across Charted Space.

World Listing: 1105

Terraforming activity is known to have taken place, or be taking place, on the following systems and worlds:

73 of 73 World articles in Terraforming
728-907  •  Adabicci  •  Aisha  •  Akher  •  Akimasi  •  Amaryllis  •  Ameros  •  Anacreon  •  Anther  •  Antra  •  Argiluu  •  Arkhuu  •  Ashush  •  Berengaria  •  Bogustin  •  Brwygaid  •  Colony Four  •  Congress  •  Darkmoon  •  Dehkaim  •  Duncan  •  Forlorn (SR 2132)  •  Garden  •  Gateway (Da 1331)  •  Hellas  •  Hemant  •  Hephaistos  •  Hoaz  •  Iimkhir  •  Ikuk  •  Ilium (SM 0426)  •  Ipkur  •  Ishimshulgi  •  Itasis  •  Iur  •  Kaza  •  Kharo  •  Khimkaa  •  Khinumi  •  Kua (Da 2110)  •  Kuuka  •  Lamamni  •  Lamdas  •  Larmige  •  Madden  •  Makkus  •  Mars  •  Melior  •  Mimu  •  Mindahm  •  Mirror  •  Orcrist  •  Othaunlere  •  Pradman  •  Proctonir  •  Quuira  •  Roethoeegaeaegz  •  Rruekhsik  •  Shadishi  •  Sharrip  •  St. George (Vl 2616)  •  Thisbe  •  Tizon  •  Tscho  •  Umri  •  Varen's Planet  •  Velscur (AC 1530)  •  Venus (SR 1827)  •  Walei  •  Wiseman  •  Xantippe  •   Ylaven   •  Zivije  •  
startbacknext(73 listed)


References & Contributors (Sources)

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