Terran Exoduses

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The First Exodus marked the height of the Terran Alliance. During this era, the first off-system colonies were established.

Background

After almost a century, the hyperspace theories of Thomas Kearny and Takayoshi Fuchida had been proven correct. The Terran Parliament approved funding for the Deimos Project, the developement of the first faster-than-light space ship.[1]

History

The Race to Space

After the maiden flight of the TAS Pathfinder and its arrival in the Tau Ceti system on December 5, 2108, the Terran Alliance began a crash program to produce faster-than-light colony ships. The first such ship was the TAS Ark, which in 2116 established its first extrasolar colony on Tau Ceti IV. By 2123, corporate production of JumpShips had become feasible, and the race to space became the new, global Manifest Destiny.[2]

During this first colonisation wave, new planets were settled monthly. Eventually, disaster struck in April 2128, when the privately constructed and operated colony ship Liberator disappeared without trace. The Alliance Parliament quickly passed regulations, forcing colony ships to be escorted by Terran Space Navy ships, and installing planetary administrators as colonial governors.[2]

The first Grand Survey, conducted in 2168, counted 108 registered colonies. [1]

Iceships and Dissidents

After 2177, the Ryan Cartel's newly developed iceshipping process became the main source of drinking water for colonies, further increasing the pace of colonisation.[3]


The final Grand Survey, conducted in 2235, listed over 600 worlds.

Decline and Isolation

The First Exodus ended with the Outer Reaches Rebellion and the subsequent withdrawal of the Terran Alliance to a 30 light year territory around Terra. [4]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Star League sourcebook, p.8
  2. 2.0 2.1 Dropships and Jumpships, pp. 11-13
  3. Dropships and Jumpships, p.14
  4. The Periphery (sourcebook), pp. 13-14

Bibliography