Neptune

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Neptune
Neptune.jpg
Neptune as viewed from orbit.
System: Sol
Diameter: 49,244 km
Class: Ice giant
Surface Area: 7.618 billion sqkm
Avg. Surface Temp: -200°C (as of 2114)
Governing Authority: Sol Defense Corps

See Neptune on Wikipedia.

Shrouded in blue, Neptune is the farthest planet from the Sun, covered in a dense atmosphere.

Serving as a forward operating base for the Poseidon fleet, Neptune's surrounding area is heavily protected, helping bolster lucrative Astatine mining operations over the planet, despite strict regulations. Due to it's militaristic importance, Neptune is directly governed by the SDC. The population of the garrison and local mining operations adds up to typically 1200 personnel; with 300 more transiting ore in and out daily.

Characteristics[edit | edit source]

Neptune's 80% hydrogen, 19% helium atmosphere has made hydrogen (and limited helium) mining extremely prevalent; with winds of up to 2,200 km/h providing a nigh-unmatched ease of collection, if not dangerous. Neptune's poles are roughly 10 K warmer than the majority of the surface, making for more favorable conditions for mining - Even if only slightly, with most mining stations at the north or south pole.

However, beneath the incredibly thick atmosphere, the surface is brimming with Astatine, one of the (formerly) rarest metals known to man. Astatine is an important catalyst utilized in Dark Matter Handling Systems, and antimatter reactors; making it an incredibly valuable resource. Due to it's presence underneath the highly dangerous Neptune atmosphere, nearly >98% of all mining drones sent to excavate Astatine are lost or malfunction. However, whatever comes back up is sold for immense profits; with its importance in FTL travel making Astatine mining businesses billion-dollar companies overnight. Due to it's importance in antimatter power, Gansai Industries is in negotiations with the SDC over larger-scale mining projects.

History[edit | edit source]

Neptune was first properly surveyed in 2062, as part of the SDC's early survey programs. Scans detected significantly higher radiation than expected radiating off the planet, and shortly after the first sample of minerals from the surface revealed a high amount of Astatine. Further samples yielded the same results, and due to it's possible usage in dark matter handling systems (Which were still being developed at the time; with Astatine as a considered catalyst) Neptune was quickly secured by the SDC, with limited mining operations permitted. Due to the militarized area and dangerous mining conditions, the process for obtaining a permit for mining on Neptune is lengthy and complex, dissuading smaller mining companies, or freelance miners from applying.

After the creation of the Escapade and, with it, fully-functioning FTL drive, the presence of Astatine on Neptune was revealed to the public. New and old corporations scrambled for mining permits; most notably Gansai Industries. Gansai Industries quickly expanded their mining operations, with the mining of Astatine launching their series of military supply deals with the SDC.

In 2105, with the amount of casualties mounting from accidents and hazardous weather conditions, manned craft were heavily restricted in their involvement with the in-atmosphere process. Despite these restrictions, less experienced miners continue to attempt to get rich off of Astatine, and due to the gold-rush like status of Neptune, fatality rates have skyrocketed, with a fatality rate barely beaten by Mercury.

This page was contributed by user Hesston.