Editing Kessel

{{PlanetOverhaul|phase=2}}
{{Update Needed|[[Handbook: House Kurita]], [[Historical: War of 3039]], [[House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)]]}}

{{InfoBoxSystem
| image               = Kessel_3151.svg
| caption             = Kessel [[#Nearby_Systems|nearby systems]] (3151)
| name                = Kessel
| coord               = -13.136 : 83.708{{e}}
| stars               = 
| class               = G0V<ref name=HK189>''House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)'', p. 189, "Kessel"</ref><ref name="HB:HKp96">''Handbook: House Kurita'', p. 96, "Kessel"</ref><ref name=DARWp17>Dark Age: Republic Worlds (3130)'', p. 17, "Kessel"</ref>
| recharge            = 181 hours<ref name="HB:HKp96"/>
| recharge stations   = Zenith, Nadir<ref name=HK189/>
| planets             = 9<ref name=DARWp17/>
}}

''Note: X and Y are coordinates (light years on XY plane) relative to [[Terra]] at (0, 0)

{{InfoBoxPlanetStandard
| image               = Kessel.jpg
| caption             = Orbital view
| name                = Kessel
| position            = 2<ref name=HK189/><ref name="HB:HKp96"/><ref name=DARWp17/>
| distance            = 10.43 days<ref name="HB:HKp96"/><ref name=DARWp17/>
| moons               = 2 (Kiev, Svoboda)<ref name="HB:HKp96"/><ref name=DARWp17/>
| day                 =
| gravity             = 1.21<ref name="HB:HKp96"/><ref name=DARWp17/>
| pressure            = Standard (Tainted)<ref name="HB:HKp96"/><ref name=DARWp17/>
| temperature         = 42°C (Sauna-Tropical)<ref name="HB:HKp96"/><ref name=DARWp17/>
| water               = 81%<ref name="HB:HKp96"/><ref name=DARWp17/>
| life                = 5% Mammals<ref name=HK189/><ref name="HB:HKp96"/><ref name=DARWp17/>
| date                = 
| year                = 3025<ref name=HK189/> - 3067<ref name="HB:HKp96"/> - 3130<ref name=DARWp17/>
| ruler               = [[Gregory Lanskey]], [[Earl of Kessel]] (Planetary Chairman - 3025)<ref name=HK189/><br>[[Julius Astankov]], District Governor (3067)<ref name="HB:HKp96"/><br>[[Oscar Lanskey]] (Governor - 3130)<ref name=DARWp17/><ref name=DARoSp6>''Dark Age: Republic of the Sphere'', p. 6 "Prefecture I"</ref>, [[David Schrock]] (Planetary Legate - 3130)<ref name=DARWp17/><ref name=DARoSp6/>
| capital             = Sverdlovsk (3130)<ref name=DARWp17/>
| population          = 2,310,000,000 (3025)<ref name=HK189/><br>1,478,000,000 (3067)<ref name="HB:HKp96"/><br>2,013,000,000 (3130)<ref name=DARWp17/><ref name=DARoSp6/>
| USIIR               = C-A-C-A-D<ref name="HB:HKp96"/>
| hpg                 = B<ref name=HK189/><ref name="HB:HKp96"/> ([[Precentor]] [[Sandra Sakes]] ([[3025]]))<ref name=HKDCp187b>''House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)'', p. 187 "Algedi"</ref>
}}

== Political Affiliation ==
* [[2319]] - [[Federation of Skye]] <ref name=HB:HKp18>''Handbook: House Kurita'', p. 18, "Draconis Combine - [2319] Map"</ref>
* [[2340]] - Federation of Skye <ref name="HB:HSp13">''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 13, "Federation of Skye world within the Lyran Commonwealth before [2340] and after at their founding in [2341]"</ref>
* [[2341]] - [[Lyran Commonwealth]] <ref name="HB:HSp13"/>
* [[2571]] - Lyran Commonwealth <ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 25, "Lyran Commonwealth after Age of War - [2571] Map"</ref><ref name="HB:HKp31">''Handbook: House Kurita'', p. 31, "Draconis Combine after Age of War - [2571] Map"</ref>
* [[2596]] - Lyran Commonwealth <ref name=HRWp159>''Historical: Reunification War'', p. 159, "Inner Sphere - [2596] Map"</ref>
* [[2750]] - Lyran Commonwealth <ref name="ER:2750p37">''Era Report: 2750'', p. 37, "Inner Sphere - [2750] Map"</ref>
* [[2764]] - Lyran Commonwealth <ref>''Field Manual: SLDF'', "Inner Sphere - [2764] Map"</ref>
* [[2765]] - Lyran Commonwealth <ref name="H:LoTV1p11>''Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 1'', p. 11, "Inner Sphere - [2765] Map"</ref>
* [[2786]] - Lyran Commonwealth <ref name="FSW(SB)p24-25">''First Succession War (Source Book)'', pp. 24-25, "Inner Sphere - [2786] Map"</ref>
* [[2822]] - Lyran commonwealth <ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 36, "Lyran Commonwealth after First Succession War - [2822] Map"</ref><ref name="HB:HKp43">''Handbook: House Kurita'', p. 43, "Draconis Combine after First Succession War - [2822] Map"</ref><ref name="H:LOTV2p122">''Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 2'', p. 122-123, "Inner Sphere - [2822] Map"</ref><ref name="FSW(SB)p112-113">''First Succession War (Source Book)'', pp. 112-113, "Inner Sphere - [2822] Map"</ref>
* [[2835]] - Lyran Commonwealth <ref name="HKp64">''House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)'', p. 64, "Jinjiro's last years"</ref>
* [[2864]] - [[Draconis Combine]] <ref name="HB:HKp53">''Handbook: House Kurita'', p. 53, "Draconis Combine after Second Succession War - [2864] Map"</ref><ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 40, "Lyran Commonwealth after Second Succession War - [2864] Map"</ref>
* [[2865]] - Lyran Commonwealth <ref name="HKp74">''House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)'', p. 74, "Is War the Natural State of Man?"</ref>
* [[2866]] - Draconis Combine <ref name="HKp74">''House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)'', p. 74, "Is War the Natural State of Man?"</ref>
* [[3025]] - Draconis Combine <ref>''House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)'', "Draconis Combine Map - [3025]"</ref><ref name="HB:HKp64">''Handbook: House Kurita'', p. 64, "Draconis Combine after Third Succession War - [3025] Map"</ref><ref>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', "Lyran Commonwealth Map - [3025]"</ref><ref name="HB:HSp47">''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 47, "Lyran Commonwealth after Third Succession War - [3025] Map"</ref>
* [[3030]] - Draconis Combine <ref name="HB:HKp66">''Handbook: House Kurita'', p. 66, "Draconis Combine after Fourth Succession War - [3030] Map"</ref><ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 56, "Lyran Commonwealth after Fourth Succession War - [3030] Map"</ref>
* [[3040]] - Draconis Combine <ref name="HB:HKp68">''Handbook: House Kurita'', p. 68, "Draconis Combine after War of 3039 - [3040] Map"</ref><ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 56, "Lyran Commonwealth after War of 3039 - [3040] Map"</ref><ref>''Historical: War of 3039'', p. 133, "Inner Sphere - [3040] Map"</ref>
* [[3050]] - Draconis Combine <ref name="ER3052p11">''Era Report: 3052'', p. 11, "Inner Sphere - [3050] Map"</ref>
* [[3052]] - Draconis Combine Republic <ref>''Era Report: 3052'', p. 23, "Inner Sphere [3052] Map"</ref><ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 61, "Lyran Commonwealth after Clan Invasion - [3052] Map"</ref><ref name="HB:HKp71">''Handbook: House Kurita'', p. 71, "Draconis Combine after Operation REVIVAL - [3052] Map"</ref>
* [[3057]] - Draconis Combine <ref>''Era Report: 3062'', p. 11, "Inner Sphere - [3057] Map"</ref>
* [[3063]] - Draconis Combine <ref>''Era Report: 3062'', p. 29, "Inner Sphere - [3063] Map"</ref>
* [[3067]] - Draconis Combine <ref name="HB:HKp74">''Handbook: House Kurita'', p. 74, "Draconis Combine after FedCom Civil War - [3067] Map"</ref><ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 70, "Lyran Alliance after FedCom Civil War - [3067] Map"</ref><ref>''Jihad: Final Reckoning'', p. 43, "Inner Sphere - [3067] Map"</ref>
* [[3075]] - Draconis Combine <ref name="JS:TBDp65>''Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents'', p. 65, "Inner Sphere - [3075] Map"</ref>
* [[3079]] - Draconis Combine <ref>''Field Report: DCMS'', p. 21, "Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery Deployment Map - [August 3079]"</ref><ref name="FR:LAAFp19">''Field Report: LAAF'', p. 19, "Lyran Alliance Armed Forces Deployment Map - [August 3079]"</ref>
* [[3081]] - [[Republic of the Sphere]] <ref>''Jihad: Final Reckoning'', p. 63, "Inner Sphere - [3081] Map"</ref>
* [[3085]] - Republic of the Sphere <ref>''Field Manual: 3085'', p. 127, "Inner Sphere - [3085] Map"</ref>
* [[3130]] - Republic of the Sphere <ref name=DARWp17/><ref name="MotIS3130">''Map of the Inner Sphere 3130''</ref>
* [[3135]] - Independent world <ref name="ER:3145p11">''Era Report: 3145'', p. 11, "Inner Sphere - [3135] Map"</ref>
* [[3145]] - [[Rasalhague Dominion]] <ref name="ER:3145p39">''Era Report: 3145'', p. 39, "Inner Sphere - [3145] Map"</ref><ref name="FM:3145pVI">''Field Manual: 3145'', p. VI, "Inner Sphere - [3145] Map"</ref>

== Planetary Geography ==
The planet known as '''Kessel''' has at least three major continents, including the northwestern continent of Novgorod, the southern continent of Gershtad and the eastern continent of Lobopov.<ref name=DARWp17/>

== Planetary History ==
=== Early History ===
One of a number of worlds within the Federation of Skye well before the founding of the Lyran Commonwealth, Kessel was a world rich in minerals and metals and was already a manufacturing center of some significance when the Federation was incorporated into the Commonwealth in the early [[twenty-fourth century]].<ref name=DARWp17/>

=== Star League Era ===
At the height of the [[Star League]] Kessel was home to a wide range of industries related to mining, refining and manufacturing and while there were no factories producing [[DropShip]]s or [[BattleMech]]s on Kessel it was still a highly productive world and one coveted by the nearby Draconis Combine.<ref name=DARWp17/>

=== Succession Wars ===
During the [[Second Succession War]] Kessel was one of many planets devastated by the Draconis Combine's search and destroy missions. <ref name="HKp64">''House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)'', p. 64, "Jinjiro's last years"</ref> The Draconis Combine captured Kessel during one of their unsuccessful attempts to capture [[Skye]], and while Kessel's capture had been largely incidental the Combine defense of the world was vigorous enough to retain control of the planet for centuries. Even as the Commonwealth made repeated but ultimately unsuccessful attempts to capture worlds such as Kessel the Combine was busy exploiting the planet, removing or loosening the industrial standards that had been put in place on Kessel by the Federation of Skye or Isle of Skye and opening the planet up to more productive - and much more environmentally damaging - manufacturing and mining processes.<ref name=DARWp17/>

Under Combine governance industries on Kessel turned to questionable practices in pursuit of increased production, practices that included chemical dumping and strip mining; these practices in turn attracted the attention of the Combine criminal class known as the ''[[yakuza]]'', who soon spread to Kessel. Whilst industries on the planet were busy poisoning the biosphere the ''yakuza'' poisoned society, leading to rampant crime levels and the adoption of a culture where might made right and the only secure areas were those in which the nobility operated - the nobility being able to afford to put in place well-armed and equipped security. The atmosphere became somewhat toxic, with visitors to the planet being cautioned to use respirators when they were outside buildings or vehicles to protect them from contaminants in the air.<ref name=DARWp17/>

As a part of the Combine Kessel became a prefecture capital, and a number of major corporations continued to operate on the planet despite the raids against it by the [[Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces]]. One major corporation attracted to the planet was [[Diverse Optics]], manufacturing everything from military laser technology to home entertainment systems.<ref name=DARWp17/>

In [[3022]], Kessel was subject to a raid from the [[Black Widow Company]], under contract with the Lyran Commonwealth.  At the time, the planet was defended by elements of [[Smithson's Chinese Bandits]].<ref>''Tales of the Black Widow Company'', pp. 14-15</ref>

By [[3025]] there was still trong underground movement agitating for freedom from the Draconis Combine. The main underground force was the [[Kessel Freedom Fighters]], who conducted hit-and-run attacks against military targets and the bureaucracy.<ref name=HKDCp187a>''House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)'', p. 187 "Kessel"</ref>

=== War of 3039 ===
==== Wave One ====
Kessel was among the first worlds attacked as part of Operation WINTERSCHNEE during the [[War of 3039]].  The battle for the planet technically began before the official start of the war when, on 15 April, [[LCAF]] marines hidden aboard a Lyran transport succeeded in secretly capturing the system's zenith recharge facility Simla Station.  The planet's inexperienced garrison force, the [[Twelfth Sun Zhang Cadre]], was therefore given no warning on 16 April when the [[Second Donegal Guards]], [[Fourth Skye Rangers]] and [[Eleventh Lyran Regulars]] arrived, under the overall command of the Second Donegal's [[Leutnant-General]] [[Caesar Steiner]].  Making a high-G approach and clashing only briefly with orbital defenses, the Lyrans achieved planetfall on 19 April and began seizing key strategic targets.  Clearly out of their depth the Sun Zhang cadets nevertheless dedicated themselves to the defense of the capital Sverdlovsk.  Unfortunately on the night of 20 April they allowed themselves to be lured from their fortifications by a feigned retreat by the Skye Rangers, and in the combat which followed lost nearly an entire battalion to the Rangers and Donegal Guards.  The surviving cadets made an apparent retreat to their [[DropShips]] hidden in the poisonous terrain of the Novgorod continent, from which it seemed they escaped to a waiting [[JumpShip]] at a nearby [[pirate point]].  Clashes with local militia continued until 27 April, when General Steiner declared himself military governor until a new civilian bureaucracy could be instituted.  The general was careful not to declare outright victory though, a fortuitous decision as low-level guerrilla activity continued into May and June.<ref>''Historical: War of 3039'', p. 30</ref>

This activity significantly picked up on 12 July as the local [[yakuza]] clan, the ''Shiroi Tora'', carried out orders from the [[ISF]] to start a campaign of bombings and attacks against the Lyran occupiers, killing over a hundred soldiers in just the first twenty-four hours.  Simultaneously it was revealed that the Sun Zhang cadets had gone to ground instead of retreating - filling their DropShips with sufficient ballast to make it appear they were onboard when the ships blasted off - and began attacking Lyran positions, particularly at the [[Diverse Optics]] facility.  Suddenly faced with a full-blown insurgency, General Steiner's plans for the occupation were foiled and he feared more surprises were to come.<ref name=HW039-74>''Historical: War of 3039'', p. 74-75</ref>

=== The Jihad ===
The [[Word of Blake]] attempted to conquer Kessel in mid-May [[3069]] using a mixture of Blakist troops and hired mercenaries. In contrast to the other four worlds targeted by the Word of Blake during the two-week campaign, Kessel wasn't conquered, even though the Blakists resorted to using nuclear weapons;<ref name="J:FRp47"/> in part, Kessel's ability to hold out was due to the arrival of a number of [[Draconis Combine]] [[WarShip]]s who aided the defence of the planet. Although the Blakists were forced to withdraw, the neutron weapons used during their assault killed more than ten thousand civilians on Kessel<ref name=DARWp17/><ref name="J:FRp47">''Jihad: Final Reckoning'', p. 47, "The Jihad In Review"</ref> as the Blakists deliberately used the weapons on a number of large cities.<ref name=DARWp17/>

In response to the recent raids and assaults on worlds within the [[Word of Blake Protectorate]], the Blakists launched raiding parties against various worlds around the Protectorate border in early September [[3076]]. Making use of weapons of mass destruction to augment the damage inflicting, the raiding parties - few of which were larger than a single [[Level III]] struck at the worlds of [[Algorab]], [[Alnasi]], [[Amity]], [[Bordon]], [[Connaught]], [[Hunan]], Kessel, [[New Hessen]], [[New Kyoto]], [[Ronel]], [[St. Andre]], [[Styk]], [[Tsitsang]] and [[Wei]]. Of the worlds hit, the Capellan Confederation took the brunt of the fighting.<ref name="JHS:Tp22">''Jihad Hot Spots: Terra'', p. 22, "Timeline of the Jihad"</ref><ref name="J:FRp56">''Jihad: Final Reckoning'', p. 56, "The Jihad In Review"</ref>

=== The Dark Age ===
Following the incorporation of Kessel into the Republic of the Sphere [[Exarch]] [[Devlin Stone]] made an effort to improve the quality of life for those living on Kessel by implementing a system whereby the landhold grants given to those on Kessel were increased slightly in exchange for guarantees that those awarded such grants would work to improve life on Kessel. Over the course of the following five decades the first signs of an improvement against various environmental indicators were seen, although the air and water remained tainted.<ref name=DARWp17/>

One of the companies attracted to Kessel under Republican rule was [[AtmoClean Enterprises]], who established a prototype air purification plant on Gershtad, which was already home to the planets largest spaceport. The only continent to still be home to regions of untamed wilderness by this point was Lobopov, although Lobopov was also home to a number of defunct strip-mining operations.<ref name=DARWp17/>

The planet's [[HPG]] station is one of the few working inside the [[Republic of the Sphere]] in [[3135]].<ref name=EDDAp4>''Era Digest: Dark Age'', p. 4 "Functional Republic HPGs as of 01 January 3135"</ref>

== Military Deployment ==
===2765===
* [[Eighth Skye Rangers]]<ref name=FR:2765LCAFpp18-19>''Field Report 2765: LCAF'', pp. 18-19, "Skye Rangers" - Regimental Status</ref>

===2786===
* Eighth Skye Rangers<ref name="FSWp139">''First Succession War (Source Book)'', p. 139, "First Succession War Deployment Table - LCAF"</ref>

===2864===
* [[Antares Scorpions]] <ref name="SSWp100">''Second Succession War (Sourcebook)'', p. 100, "Second Succession War Deployment Table - Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces"</ref>

===2821===
* [[Eighth Skye Rangers]]<ref name="FSWp139"/>

===3025===
* [[3rd Dieron Regulars|Third Dieron Regulars]]<ref name=HK133>''House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)'', p. 133, "Unit Deployment Table"</ref>

===3025===
* [[12th Sun Zhang Academy Cadre|Twelfth Sun Zhang Academy Cadre]]<ref name=HK133/>

===3038===
* Twelfth Sun Zhang Academy Cadre<ref name=H:Wo3039>''Historical: War of 3039'', p. 139, "Deployment Table"</ref>

===3040===
* Twelfth Sun Zhang Academy Cadre<ref name=H:Wo3039/>

===3050===
* Twelfth Sun Zhang Academy Cadre<ref name=20YU40>''20 Year Update'', p. 40, "Draconis Combine Deployment Table"</ref>

===3059===
* Third Dieron Regulars (1st & 3rd [[Battalion]])<ref name=FMDC132>''Field Manual: Draconis Combine'', p. 132, "Draconis Combine Deployment Table"</ref>
* [[40th Dieron Regulars|Forty Dieron Regulars]]<ref name=FMDC132>''Field Manual: Draconis Combine'', p. 132, "Draconis Combine Deployment Table"</ref>

===3067===
* Forty Dieron Regulars<ref name=FMU117>''Field Manual: Updates'', p. 117, "Draconis Combine Deployment Table"</ref>

===3079===
* [[5th Sun Zhang Academy Cadre|Fifth Sun Zhang Academy Cadre]]<ref>''Field Report: DCMS'', p. 14, "Sun Zhang Regimental Status"</ref>
:- At this point in time the 5th Sung Zhang Academy Cadre were deployed across, Kessel and [[Alrakis]]. The 5th was at 45% of full strength, with 70% of their equipment featuring upgraded technology.

== Planetary Locations == 
{{scrollbox| 
* Kelgars Ridge<ref name=TBWCp14>''Tales of the Black Widow Company'', p. 14</ref>
}}

== Industrial Centers ==
* [[Diverse Optics Incorporated]]<ref>''Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers'', p. 163, "Lushann Industrials Limited"</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Crest-Kessel.png|Planetary flag
</gallery>

== Nearby Systems ==
<!-- NOTE: This table is automatically generated by BattleTechWiki:Project_Planets/Mapping, and any edits to this section may be overwritten at any time by a bot -->
{|class="wikitable nearby-systems" style="background: #gray; text-align:center; border: 1px solid black;"
! colspan="8" | Closest 56 systems (56 within 60 light-years)<br>Distance in light years, closest systems first:
|-
| class="lessthan30" | [[Alrakis]]
| class="lessthan30" | 7.0
| class="lessthan30" | [[Konstance]]
| class="lessthan30" | 14.5
| class="lessthan30" | [[Nai-Stohl]]
| class="lessthan30" | 18.5
| class="lessthan30" | [[Kaus Australis]]
| class="lessthan30" | 18.8
|-
| class="lessthan30" | [[Dromini]]
| class="lessthan30" | 19.2
| class="lessthan30" | [[Eltanin]]
| class="lessthan30" | 19.2
| class="lessthan30" | [[Balkan]]
| class="lessthan30" | 19.8
| class="lessthan30" | [[Kaus Media]]
| class="lessthan30" | 21.2
|-
| class="lessthan30" | [[La Blon]]
| class="lessthan30" | 21.6
| class="lessthan30" | [[Komephoros]]
| class="lessthan30" | 22.6
| class="lessthan30" | [[Vega]]
| class="lessthan30" | 24.8
| class="lessthan30" | [[Sabik]]
| class="lessthan30" | 26.6
|-
| class="lessthan30" | [[Moore]]
| class="lessthan30" | 27.2
| class="lessthan30" | [[Kaus Borealis]]
| class="lessthan30" | 27.6
| class="lessthan30" | [[Kimball]]
| class="lessthan30" | 27.7
| class="lessthan30" | [[New Wessex]]
| class="lessthan30" | 29.7
|-
| class="over30" | [[Marfik]]
| class="over30" | 30.8
| class="over30" | [[Atria]]
| class="over30" | 32.2
| class="over30" | [[Ryde]]
| class="over30" | 33.2
| class="over30" | [[Skondia]]
| class="over30" | 33.8
|-
| class="over30" | [[Baxter]]
| class="over30" | 34.2
| class="over30" | [[Lone Star]]
| class="over30" | 34.4
| class="over30" | [[Ascella]]
| class="over30" | 35.3
| class="over30" | [[Unukalhai]]
| class="over30" | 36.0
|-
| class="over30" | [[Cebalrai]]
| class="over30" | 36.0
| class="over30" | [[Alnasl|Alnasi]]
| class="over30" | 36.0
| class="over30" | [[Lambrecht]]
| class="over30" | 37.3
| class="over30" | [[Kuzuu]]
| class="over30" | 40.0
|-
| class="over30" | [[Alphecca]]
| class="over30" | 40.1
| class="over30" | [[Ko]]
| class="over30" | 40.1
| class="over30" | [[Kannon]]
| class="over30" | 40.8
| class="over30" | [[Alya]]
| class="over30" | 41.6
|-
| class="over30" | [[Alkalurops]]
| class="over30" | 44.8
| class="over30" | [[Corridan]]
| class="over30" | 45.2
| class="over30" | [[Nusakan]]
| class="over30" | 45.8
| class="over30" | [[Lyons]]
| class="over30" | 46.1
|-
| class="over30" | [[Dyev]]
| class="over30" | 46.9
| class="over30" | [[Yed Posterior]]
| class="over30" | 47.1
| class="over30" | [[Chaville]]
| class="over30" | 47.8
| class="over30" | [[Tsukude]]
| class="over30" | 48.8
|-
| class="over30" | [[Izar]]
| class="over30" | 48.8
| class="over30" | [[Carnwath]]
| class="over30" | 50.0
| class="over30" | [[Imbros III|Imbros]]
| class="over30" | 50.8
| class="over30" | [[Phalan]]
| class="over30" | 51.1
|-
| class="over30" | [[Shionoha]]
| class="over30" | 51.2
| class="over30" | [[Zebebelgenubi]]
| class="over30" | 53.3
| class="over30" | [[Juniper (system)|Juniper]]
| class="over30" | 54.1
| class="over30" | [[Skye]]
| class="over30" | 54.5
|-
| class="over30" | [[Eaglesham]]
| class="over30" | 54.8
| class="over30" | [[Shitara]]
| class="over30" | 54.9
| class="over30" | [[Alexandria (LC)|Alexandria]]
| class="over30" | 55.0
| class="over30" | [[Pike IV|Pike]]
| class="over30" | 55.5
|-
| class="over30" | [[Freedom]]
| class="over30" | 56.5
| class="over30" | [[Altais]]
| class="over30" | 56.7
| class="over30" | [[Kochab]]
| class="over30" | 59.0
| class="over30" | [[Rocky]]
| class="over30" | 59.1
|-
|}

== References ==
<references />

== Bibliography ==
* ''[[20 Year Update]]''
* ''[[Dark Age: Republic Worlds (3130)]]''
* ''[[Era Report: 2750]]''
* ''[[Era Report: 3052]]''
* ''[[Era Report: 3062]]''
* ''[[Era Report: 3145]]''
* ''[[Field Manual: 3085]]''
* ''[[Field Manual: 3145]]''
* ''[[Field Manual: SLDF]]''
* ''[[Field Manual: Draconis Combine]]''
* ''[[Field Manual: Updates]]''
* ''[[Field Report 2765: LCAF]]''
* ''[[Field Report: DCMS]]''
* ''[[Field Report: LAAF]]''
* ''[[First Succession War (Source Book)|First Succession War]]''
* ''[[Handbook: House Kurita]]''
* ''[[Handbook: House Steiner]]''
* ''[[Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 1]]''
* ''[[Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 2]]''
* ''[[Historical: Reunification War]]''
* ''[[Historical: War of 3039]]''
* ''[[House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)]]''
* ''[[House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)]]''
* ''[[Jihad: Final Reckoning]]''
* ''[[Jihad Hot Spots: Terra]]''
* ''[[Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents]]''
* ''[http://home.ifi.uio.no/~oysteint/btech/maps/IS_3130.pdf Map of the Inner Sphere 3130]''
* ''[[Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers]]''
* ''[[Second Succession War (Sourcebook)|Second Succession War]]''
* ''[[Tales of the Black Widow Company]]''
* ''[[Dark Age: Republic of the Sphere]]''

[[Category:Planets|Kessel]]
[[Category: Draconis Combine Planets]]
[[Category: Federation of Skye Planets]]
[[Category: Independent Planets]]
[[Category: Lyran Commonwealth Planets]]
[[Category: Rasalhague Dominion Planets]]
[[Category: Republic of the Sphere Planets]]
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Update Needed|[[Handbook: House Kurita]]|[[Historical: War of 3039]]|[[House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)]]}}
+{{PlanetOverhaul|phase=2}}
+{{Update Needed|[[Handbook: House Kurita]], [[Historical: War of 3039]], [[House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)]]}}
 {{InfoBoxSystem
 | image               = Kessel_3151.svg
-| caption             = Kessel [[#Nearby_Systems|nearby systems]]
+| caption             = Kessel [[#Nearby_Systems|nearby systems]] (3151)
 | name                = Kessel
 | coord               = -13.136 : 83.708{{e}}
 | stars               =
-| class               = G0V<ref name=HK189>''House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)'', p. 189: "Kessel"</ref><ref name="HB:HKp96">''Handbook: House Kurita'', pp. 96–97: "Kessel"</ref><ref name=DARWp17>''Dark Age: Republic Worlds (3130)'', p. 17: "Kessel"</ref>
+| class               = G0V<ref name=HK189>''House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)'', p. 189, "Kessel"</ref><ref name="HB:HKp96">''Handbook: House Kurita'', p. 96, "Kessel"</ref><ref name=DARWp17>Dark Age: Republic Worlds (3130)'', p. 17, "Kessel"</ref>
 | recharge            = 181 hours<ref name="HB:HKp96"/>
 | recharge stations   = Zenith, Nadir<ref name=HK189/>
 | planets             = 9<ref name=DARWp17/>
 }}
-__TOC__
-==System Description==
+''Note: X and Y are coordinates (light years on XY plane) relative to [[Terra]] at (0, 0)
-'''Kessel''' is located near the [[Alrakis]] and [[Konstance]] systems.
-<!-- Commented out due to lack of information
+{{InfoBoxPlanetStandard
-==System History==
--->
-==Political Affiliation==
-{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
-* [[2319]] - [[Federation of Skye]]<ref name=HB:HKp18>''Handbook: House Kurita'', p. 18</ref>
-* [[2340]] - Federation of Skye<ref name="HB:HSp13">''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 13</ref>
-* [[2341]] - [[Lyran Commonwealth]]<ref name="HB:HSp13"/>
-* [[2571]] - Lyran Commonwealth<ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 25</ref><ref name="HB:HKp31">''Handbook: House Kurita'', p. 31</ref>
-* [[2596]] - Lyran Commonwealth<ref name=HRWp159>''Historical: Reunification War'', p. 159</ref>
-* [[2750]] - Lyran Commonwealth<ref name="ER:2750p37">''Era Report: 2750'', p. 37</ref>
-* [[2764]] - Lyran Commonwealth<ref>''Field Manual: SLDF'', p. xi: "Inner Sphere - [2764] Map"</ref>
-* [[2765]] - Lyran Commonwealth<ref name="H:LoTV1p11>''Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 1'', p. 11</ref>
-* [[2786]] - Lyran Commonwealth<ref name="FSW(SB)p24-25">''First Succession War'', pp. 24–25</ref>
-* [[2822]] - Lyran commonwealth<ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 36</ref><ref name="HB:HKp43">''Handbook: House Kurita'', p. 43</ref><ref name="H:LOTV2p122">''Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 2'', pp. 122–123</ref><ref name="FSW(SB)p112-113">''First Succession War'', pp. 112–113</ref>
-* [[2835]] - Lyran Commonwealth<ref name="HKp64">''House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)'', p. 64: "Jinjiro's last years"</ref>
-* [[2864]] - [[Draconis Combine]]<ref name="HB:HKp53">''Handbook: House Kurita'', p. 53</ref><ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 40</ref>
-* [[2865]] - Lyran Commonwealth<ref name="HKp74">''House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)'', p. 74: "Is War the Natural State of Man?"</ref>
-* [[2866]] - Draconis Combine<ref name="HKp74"/>
-* [[3025]] - Draconis Combine<ref>''House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)'', foldout: "Draconis Combine Map - [3025]"</ref><ref name="HB:HKp64">''Handbook: House Kurita'', p. 64</ref><ref>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', foldout: "Lyran Commonwealth Map - [3025]"</ref><ref name="HB:HSp47">''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 47</ref>
-* [[3030]] - Draconis Combine<ref name="HB:HKp66">''Handbook: House Kurita'', p. 66</ref><ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 56</ref>
-* [[3040]] - Draconis Combine<ref name="HB:HKp68">''Handbook: House Kurita'', p. 68</ref><ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 56</ref><ref>''Historical: War of 3039'', p. 133</ref>
-* [[3050]] - Draconis Combine<ref name="ER3052p11">''Era Report: 3052'', p. 11</ref>
-* [[3052]] - Draconis Combine Republic<ref>''Era Report: 3052'', p. 23</ref><ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 61</ref><ref name="HB:HKp71">''Handbook: House Kurita'', p. 71</ref>
-* [[3057]] - Draconis Combine<ref>''Era Report: 3062'', p. 11</ref>
-* [[3063]] - Draconis Combine<ref>''Era Report: 3062'', p. 29</ref>
-* [[3067]] - Draconis Combine<ref name="HB:HKp74">''Handbook: House Kurita'', p. 74</ref><ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 70</ref><ref>''Jihad: Final Reckoning'', p. 43</ref>
-* [[3075]] - Draconis Combine<ref name="JS:TBDp65>''Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents'', p. 65</ref>
-* [[3079]] - Draconis Combine<ref>''Field Report: DCMS'', p. 21</ref><ref name="FR:LAAFp19">''Field Report: LAAF'', p. 19</ref>
-* [[3081]] - [[Republic of the Sphere]]<ref>''Jihad: Final Reckoning'', p. 63</ref>
-* [[3085]] - Republic of the Sphere<ref>''Field Manual: 3085'', p. 127</ref>
-* [[3135]] - Independent world<ref name="ER:3145p11">''Era Report: 3145'', p. 11</ref>
-* [[3145]] - [[Rasalhague Dominion]]<ref name="ER:3145p39">''Era Report: 3145'', p. 39</ref><ref name="FM:3145pVI">''Field Manual: 3145'', p. VI: "Inner Sphere - [3145] Map"</ref>
-* [[3151]] - Rasalhague Dominion<ref name=SFp102-103>''Shattered Fortress'', pp. 102–103</ref>
-{{div col end}}
--------------------------------------
-==Kessel II==
-{{InfoBoxPlanet
 | image               = Kessel.jpg
-| name                = Kessel II
+| caption             = Orbital view
-| othernames          =
+| name                = Kessel
-| position            = Second<ref name=HK189/><ref name="HB:HKp96"/><ref name=DARWp17/>
+| position            = 2<ref name=HK189/><ref name="HB:HKp96"/><ref name=DARWp17/>
 | distance            = 10.43 days<ref name="HB:HKp96"/><ref name=DARWp17/>
 | moons               = 2 (Kiev, Svoboda)<ref name="HB:HKp96"/><ref name=DARWp17/>
+| day                 =
 | gravity             = 1.21<ref name="HB:HKp96"/><ref name=DARWp17/>
 | pressure            = Standard (Tainted)<ref name="HB:HKp96"/><ref name=DARWp17/>
 | temperature         = 42°C (Sauna-Tropical)<ref name="HB:HKp96"/><ref name=DARWp17/>
 | water               = 81%<ref name="HB:HKp96"/><ref name=DARWp17/>
-| life                = Mammals,<ref name="HB:HKp96"/><ref name=DARWp17/> 5%<ref name=HK189/>
+| life                = 5% Mammals<ref name=HK189/><ref name="HB:HKp96"/><ref name=DARWp17/>
-| continents          = 3 (Novgorod, Gershtad, Lobopov)<ref name="HB:HKp96"/><ref name=DARWp17/>
+| date                =
-| colonized           =
+| year                = 3025<ref name=HK189/> - 3067<ref name="HB:HKp96"/> - 3130<ref name=DARWp17/>
-| demonym             =
+| ruler               = [[Gregory Lanskey]], [[Earl of Kessel]] (Planetary Chairman - 3025)<ref name=HK189/><br>[[Julius Astankov]], District Governor (3067)<ref name="HB:HKp96"/><br>[[Oscar Lanskey]] (Governor - 3130)<ref name=DARWp17/><ref name=DARoSp6>''Dark Age: Republic of the Sphere'', p. 6 "Prefecture I"</ref>, [[David Schrock]] (Planetary Legate - 3130)<ref name=DARWp17/><ref name=DARoSp6/>
-| language            =
+| capital             = Sverdlovsk (3130)<ref name=DARWp17/>
-| religion            =
+| population          = 2,310,000,000 (3025)<ref name=HK189/><br>1,478,000,000 (3067)<ref name="HB:HKp96"/><br>2,013,000,000 (3130)<ref name=DARWp17/><ref name=DARoSp6/>
-| population          = 2,310,000,000 (3025),<ref name=HK189/><br>1,478,000,000 (3067),<ref name="HB:HKp96"/><br>2,013,000,000 (3130)<ref name=DARWp17/><ref name=DARoSp6>''Dark Age: Republic of the Sphere'', p. 6: "Prefecture I"</ref>
+| USIIR               = C-A-C-A-D<ref name="HB:HKp96"/>
-| ruler               = [[Earl of Kessel]]
+| hpg                 = B<ref name=HK189/><ref name="HB:HKp96"/> ([[Precentor]] [[Sandra Sakes]] ([[3025]]))<ref name=HKDCp187b>''House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)'', p. 187 "Algedi"</ref>
-| political           = [[Planetary Governor of Kessel|Planetary Governor]]
-| commander           = Legate [[David Schrock]] (3130)<ref name=DARWp17/><ref name=DARoSp6/>
-| capital             = Sverdlovsk<ref name=DARWp17/><ref name=HWo39p30>''Historical: War of 3039'', p. 30</ref>
-| hpg                 = B<ref name=HK189/><ref name="HB:HKp96"/>
-| hpgrep              = [[Precentor]] [[Sandra Sakes]] (3025)<ref name=HK189/>
 }}
-===Planetary History===
-====Early History====
+== Political Affiliation ==
+* [[2319]] - [[Federation of Skye]] <ref name=HB:HKp18>''Handbook: House Kurita'', p. 18, "Draconis Combine - [2319] Map"</ref>
+* [[2340]] - Federation of Skye <ref name="HB:HSp13">''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 13, "Federation of Skye world within the Lyran Commonwealth before [2340] and after at their founding in [2341]"</ref>
+* [[2341]] - [[Lyran Commonwealth]] <ref name="HB:HSp13"/>
+* [[2571]] - Lyran Commonwealth <ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 25, "Lyran Commonwealth after Age of War - [2571] Map"</ref><ref name="HB:HKp31">''Handbook: House Kurita'', p. 31, "Draconis Combine after Age of War - [2571] Map"</ref>
+* [[2596]] - Lyran Commonwealth <ref name=HRWp159>''Historical: Reunification War'', p. 159, "Inner Sphere - [2596] Map"</ref>
+* [[2750]] - Lyran Commonwealth <ref name="ER:2750p37">''Era Report: 2750'', p. 37, "Inner Sphere - [2750] Map"</ref>
+* [[2764]] - Lyran Commonwealth <ref>''Field Manual: SLDF'', "Inner Sphere - [2764] Map"</ref>
+* [[2765]] - Lyran Commonwealth <ref name="H:LoTV1p11>''Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 1'', p. 11, "Inner Sphere - [2765] Map"</ref>
+* [[2786]] - Lyran Commonwealth <ref name="FSW(SB)p24-25">''First Succession War (Source Book)'', pp. 24-25, "Inner Sphere - [2786] Map"</ref>
+* [[2822]] - Lyran commonwealth <ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 36, "Lyran Commonwealth after First Succession War - [2822] Map"</ref><ref name="HB:HKp43">''Handbook: House Kurita'', p. 43, "Draconis Combine after First Succession War - [2822] Map"</ref><ref name="H:LOTV2p122">''Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 2'', p. 122-123, "Inner Sphere - [2822] Map"</ref><ref name="FSW(SB)p112-113">''First Succession War (Source Book)'', pp. 112-113, "Inner Sphere - [2822] Map"</ref>
+* [[2835]] - Lyran Commonwealth <ref name="HKp64">''House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)'', p. 64, "Jinjiro's last years"</ref>
+* [[2864]] - [[Draconis Combine]] <ref name="HB:HKp53">''Handbook: House Kurita'', p. 53, "Draconis Combine after Second Succession War - [2864] Map"</ref><ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 40, "Lyran Commonwealth after Second Succession War - [2864] Map"</ref>
+* [[2865]] - Lyran Commonwealth <ref name="HKp74">''House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)'', p. 74, "Is War the Natural State of Man?"</ref>
+* [[2866]] - Draconis Combine <ref name="HKp74">''House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)'', p. 74, "Is War the Natural State of Man?"</ref>
+* [[3025]] - Draconis Combine <ref>''House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)'', "Draconis Combine Map - [3025]"</ref><ref name="HB:HKp64">''Handbook: House Kurita'', p. 64, "Draconis Combine after Third Succession War - [3025] Map"</ref><ref>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', "Lyran Commonwealth Map - [3025]"</ref><ref name="HB:HSp47">''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 47, "Lyran Commonwealth after Third Succession War - [3025] Map"</ref>
+* [[3030]] - Draconis Combine <ref name="HB:HKp66">''Handbook: House Kurita'', p. 66, "Draconis Combine after Fourth Succession War - [3030] Map"</ref><ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 56, "Lyran Commonwealth after Fourth Succession War - [3030] Map"</ref>
+* [[3040]] - Draconis Combine <ref name="HB:HKp68">''Handbook: House Kurita'', p. 68, "Draconis Combine after War of 3039 - [3040] Map"</ref><ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 56, "Lyran Commonwealth after War of 3039 - [3040] Map"</ref><ref>''Historical: War of 3039'', p. 133, "Inner Sphere - [3040] Map"</ref>
+* [[3050]] - Draconis Combine <ref name="ER3052p11">''Era Report: 3052'', p. 11, "Inner Sphere - [3050] Map"</ref>
+* [[3052]] - Draconis Combine Republic <ref>''Era Report: 3052'', p. 23, "Inner Sphere [3052] Map"</ref><ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 61, "Lyran Commonwealth after Clan Invasion - [3052] Map"</ref><ref name="HB:HKp71">''Handbook: House Kurita'', p. 71, "Draconis Combine after Operation REVIVAL - [3052] Map"</ref>
+* [[3057]] - Draconis Combine <ref>''Era Report: 3062'', p. 11, "Inner Sphere - [3057] Map"</ref>
+* [[3063]] - Draconis Combine <ref>''Era Report: 3062'', p. 29, "Inner Sphere - [3063] Map"</ref>
+* [[3067]] - Draconis Combine <ref name="HB:HKp74">''Handbook: House Kurita'', p. 74, "Draconis Combine after FedCom Civil War - [3067] Map"</ref><ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 70, "Lyran Alliance after FedCom Civil War - [3067] Map"</ref><ref>''Jihad: Final Reckoning'', p. 43, "Inner Sphere - [3067] Map"</ref>
+* [[3075]] - Draconis Combine <ref name="JS:TBDp65>''Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents'', p. 65, "Inner Sphere - [3075] Map"</ref>
+* [[3079]] - Draconis Combine <ref>''Field Report: DCMS'', p. 21, "Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery Deployment Map - [August 3079]"</ref><ref name="FR:LAAFp19">''Field Report: LAAF'', p. 19, "Lyran Alliance Armed Forces Deployment Map - [August 3079]"</ref>
+* [[3081]] - [[Republic of the Sphere]] <ref>''Jihad: Final Reckoning'', p. 63, "Inner Sphere - [3081] Map"</ref>
+* [[3085]] - Republic of the Sphere <ref>''Field Manual: 3085'', p. 127, "Inner Sphere - [3085] Map"</ref>
+* [[3130]] - Republic of the Sphere <ref name=DARWp17/><ref name="MotIS3130">''Map of the Inner Sphere 3130''</ref>
+* [[3135]] - Independent world <ref name="ER:3145p11">''Era Report: 3145'', p. 11, "Inner Sphere - [3135] Map"</ref>
+* [[3145]] - [[Rasalhague Dominion]] <ref name="ER:3145p39">''Era Report: 3145'', p. 39, "Inner Sphere - [3145] Map"</ref><ref name="FM:3145pVI">''Field Manual: 3145'', p. VI, "Inner Sphere - [3145] Map"</ref>
+== Planetary Geography ==
+The planet known as '''Kessel''' has at least three major continents, including the northwestern continent of Novgorod, the southern continent of Gershtad and the eastern continent of Lobopov.<ref name=DARWp17/>
+== Planetary History ==
+=== Early History ===
 One of a number of worlds within the Federation of Skye well before the founding of the Lyran Commonwealth, Kessel was a world rich in minerals and metals and was already a manufacturing center of some significance when the Federation was incorporated into the Commonwealth in the early [[twenty-fourth century]].<ref name=DARWp17/>
-====Star League Era====
+=== Star League Era ===
 At the height of the [[Star League]] Kessel was home to a wide range of industries related to mining, refining and manufacturing and while there were no factories producing [[DropShip]]s or [[BattleMech]]s on Kessel it was still a highly productive world and one coveted by the nearby Draconis Combine.<ref name=DARWp17/>
-====Succession Wars====
+=== Succession Wars ===
-During the [[Second Succession War]] Kessel was one of many planets devastated by the Draconis Combine's search and destroy missions.<ref name="HKp64">''House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)'', p. 64: "Jinjiro's last years"</ref> The Draconis Combine captured Kessel during one of their unsuccessful attempts to capture [[Skye]], and while Kessel's capture had been largely incidental the Combine defense of the world was vigorous enough to retain control of the planet for centuries. Even as the Commonwealth made repeated but ultimately unsuccessful attempts to capture worlds such as Kessel the Combine was busy exploiting the planet, removing or loosening the industrial standards that had been put in place on Kessel by the Federation of Skye or Isle of Skye and opening the planet up to more productive - and much more environmentally damaging - manufacturing and mining processes.<ref name=DARWp17/>
+During the [[Second Succession War]] Kessel was one of many planets devastated by the Draconis Combine's search and destroy missions. <ref name="HKp64">''House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)'', p. 64, "Jinjiro's last years"</ref> The Draconis Combine captured Kessel during one of their unsuccessful attempts to capture [[Skye]], and while Kessel's capture had been largely incidental the Combine defense of the world was vigorous enough to retain control of the planet for centuries. Even as the Commonwealth made repeated but ultimately unsuccessful attempts to capture worlds such as Kessel the Combine was busy exploiting the planet, removing or loosening the industrial standards that had been put in place on Kessel by the Federation of Skye or Isle of Skye and opening the planet up to more productive - and much more environmentally damaging - manufacturing and mining processes.<ref name=DARWp17/>
-Under Combine governance industries on Kessel turned to questionable practices in pursuit of increased production, practices that included chemical dumping and strip mining; these practices in turn attracted the attention of the Combine criminal class known as the ''[[yakuza]]'', who soon spread to Kessel. Whilst industries on the planet were busy poisoning the biosphere the ''yakuza'' poisoned society, leading to rampant crime levels and the adoption of a culture where might made right and the only secure areas were those in which the nobility operated—the nobility being able to afford to put in place well-armed and equipped security. The atmosphere became somewhat toxic, with visitors to the planet being cautioned to use respirators when they were outside buildings or vehicles to protect them from contaminants in the air.<ref name=DARWp17/>
+Under Combine governance industries on Kessel turned to questionable practices in pursuit of increased production, practices that included chemical dumping and strip mining; these practices in turn attracted the attention of the Combine criminal class known as the ''[[yakuza]]'', who soon spread to Kessel. Whilst industries on the planet were busy poisoning the biosphere the ''yakuza'' poisoned society, leading to rampant crime levels and the adoption of a culture where might made right and the only secure areas were those in which the nobility operated - the nobility being able to afford to put in place well-armed and equipped security. The atmosphere became somewhat toxic, with visitors to the planet being cautioned to use respirators when they were outside buildings or vehicles to protect them from contaminants in the air.<ref name=DARWp17/>
 As a part of the Combine Kessel became a prefecture capital, and a number of major corporations continued to operate on the planet despite the raids against it by the [[Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces]]. One major corporation attracted to the planet was [[Diverse Optics]], manufacturing everything from military laser technology to home entertainment systems.<ref name=DARWp17/>
-In [[3022]], Kessel was subject to a raid from the [[Black Widow Company]], under contract with the Lyran Commonwealth.  At the time, the planet was defended by elements of [[Smithson's Chinese Bandits]].<ref>''Tales of the Black Widow Company'', pp. 14–15</ref>
+In [[3022]], Kessel was subject to a raid from the [[Black Widow Company]], under contract with the Lyran Commonwealth.  At the time, the planet was defended by elements of [[Smithson's Chinese Bandits]].<ref>''Tales of the Black Widow Company'', pp. 14-15</ref>
-By [[3025]], there was still a strong underground movement agitating for freedom from the Draconis Combine. The main underground force was the [[Kessel Freedom Fighters]], who conducted hit-and-run attacks against military targets and the bureaucracy.<ref name=HKDCp187a>''House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)'', p. 187: "Kessel"</ref>
+By [[3025]] there was still trong underground movement agitating for freedom from the Draconis Combine. The main underground force was the [[Kessel Freedom Fighters]], who conducted hit-and-run attacks against military targets and the bureaucracy.<ref name=HKDCp187a>''House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)'', p. 187 "Kessel"</ref>
-====War of 3039====
+=== War of 3039 ===
-Kessel was among the first worlds attacked as part of Operation WINTERSCHNEE during the [[War of 3039]].  The battle for the planet technically began before the official start of the war when, on 15 April, [[LCAF]] marines hidden aboard a Lyran transport succeeded in secretly capturing the system's zenith recharge facility Simla Station.  The planet's inexperienced garrison force, the [[Twelfth Sun Zhang Cadre]], was therefore given no warning on 16 April when the [[Second Donegal Guards]], [[Fourth Skye Rangers]] and [[Eleventh Lyran Regulars]] arrived, under the overall command of the Second Donegal's [[Leutnant-General]] [[Caesar Steiner]].  Making a high-G approach and clashing only briefly with orbital defenses, the Lyrans achieved planetfall on 19 April and began seizing key strategic targets.  Clearly out of their depth the Sun Zhang cadets nevertheless dedicated themselves to the defense of the capital Sverdlovsk. Unfortunately on the night of 20 April they allowed themselves to be lured from their fortifications by a feigned retreat by the Skye Rangers, and in the combat which followed lost nearly an entire battalion to the Rangers and Donegal Guards. The surviving cadets made an apparent retreat to their [[DropShips]] hidden in the poisonous terrain of the Novgorod continent, from which it seemed they escaped to a waiting [[JumpShip]] at a nearby [[pirate point]]. Clashes with local militia continued until 27 April, when General Steiner declared himself military governor until a new civilian bureaucracy could be instituted. The general was careful not to declare outright victory though, a fortuitous decision as low-level guerrilla activity continued into May and June.<ref>''Historical: War of 3039'', p. 30</ref>
+==== Wave One ====
+Kessel was among the first worlds attacked as part of Operation WINTERSCHNEE during the [[War of 3039]].  The battle for the planet technically began before the official start of the war when, on 15 April, [[LCAF]] marines hidden aboard a Lyran transport succeeded in secretly capturing the system's zenith recharge facility Simla Station.  The planet's inexperienced garrison force, the [[Twelfth Sun Zhang Cadre]], was therefore given no warning on 16 April when the [[Second Donegal Guards]], [[Fourth Skye Rangers]] and [[Eleventh Lyran Regulars]] arrived, under the overall command of the Second Donegal's [[Leutnant-General]] [[Caesar Steiner]].  Making a high-G approach and clashing only briefly with orbital defenses, the Lyrans achieved planetfall on 19 April and began seizing key strategic targets.  Clearly out of their depth the Sun Zhang cadets nevertheless dedicated themselves to the defense of the capital Sverdlovsk.  Unfortunately on the night of 20 April they allowed themselves to be lured from their fortifications by a feigned retreat by the Skye Rangers, and in the combat which followed lost nearly an entire battalion to the Rangers and Donegal Guards.  The surviving cadets made an apparent retreat to their [[DropShips]] hidden in the poisonous terrain of the Novgorod continent, from which it seemed they escaped to a waiting [[JumpShip]] at a nearby [[pirate point]].  Clashes with local militia continued until 27 April, when General Steiner declared himself military governor until a new civilian bureaucracy could be instituted.  The general was careful not to declare outright victory though, a fortuitous decision as low-level guerrilla activity continued into May and June.<ref>''Historical: War of 3039'', p. 30</ref>
-This activity significantly picked up on 12 July as the local [[yakuza]] clan, the ''Shiroi Tora'' led by [[Imasao Müeller]], carried out orders from the [[ISF]] to start a campaign of bombings and attacks against the Lyran occupiers, killing over a hundred soldiers in just the first twenty-four hours. Simultaneously it was revealed that the Sun Zhang cadets had gone to ground instead of retreating—filling their DropShips with sufficient ballast to make it appear they were onboard when the ships blasted off—and began attacking Lyran positions, particularly at the [[Diverse Optics]] facility. Suddenly faced with a full-blown insurgency, General Steiner's plans for the occupation were foiled and he feared more surprises were to come.<ref name=HW039-74>''Historical: War of 3039'', pp. 74–75</ref>
+This activity significantly picked up on 12 July as the local [[yakuza]] clan, the ''Shiroi Tora'', carried out orders from the [[ISF]] to start a campaign of bombings and attacks against the Lyran occupiers, killing over a hundred soldiers in just the first twenty-four hours.  Simultaneously it was revealed that the Sun Zhang cadets had gone to ground instead of retreating - filling their DropShips with sufficient ballast to make it appear they were onboard when the ships blasted off - and began attacking Lyran positions, particularly at the [[Diverse Optics]] facility.  Suddenly faced with a full-blown insurgency, General Steiner's plans for the occupation were foiled and he feared more surprises were to come.<ref name=HW039-74>''Historical: War of 3039'', p. 74-75</ref>
-====Jihad====
+=== The Jihad ===
-The [[Word of Blake]] attempted to conquer Kessel in mid-May [[3069]] using a mixture of Blakist troops and hired mercenaries. In contrast to the other four worlds targeted by the Word of Blake during the two-week campaign, Kessel wasn't conquered, even though the Blakists resorted to using nuclear weapons;<ref name="J:FRp47"/> in part, Kessel's ability to hold out was due to the arrival of a number of [[Draconis Combine]] [[WarShip]]s who aided the defense of the planet. Although the Blakists were forced to withdraw, the neutron weapons used during their assault killed more than ten thousand civilians on Kessel<ref name=DARWp17/><ref name="J:FRp47">''Jihad: Final Reckoning'', p. 47: "The Jihad In Review"</ref> as the Blakists deliberately used the weapons on a number of large cities.<ref name=DARWp17/>
+The [[Word of Blake]] attempted to conquer Kessel in mid-May [[3069]] using a mixture of Blakist troops and hired mercenaries. In contrast to the other four worlds targeted by the Word of Blake during the two-week campaign, Kessel wasn't conquered, even though the Blakists resorted to using nuclear weapons;<ref name="J:FRp47"/> in part, Kessel's ability to hold out was due to the arrival of a number of [[Draconis Combine]] [[WarShip]]s who aided the defence of the planet. Although the Blakists were forced to withdraw, the neutron weapons used during their assault killed more than ten thousand civilians on Kessel<ref name=DARWp17/><ref name="J:FRp47">''Jihad: Final Reckoning'', p. 47, "The Jihad In Review"</ref> as the Blakists deliberately used the weapons on a number of large cities.<ref name=DARWp17/>
-In response to the recent raids and assaults on worlds within the [[Word of Blake Protectorate]], the Blakists launched raiding parties against various worlds around the Protectorate border in early September [[3076]]. Making use of weapons of mass destruction to worsen the damage inflicted, the raiding parties - few of which were larger than a single [[Level III]] struck at the worlds of [[Algorab]], [[Alnasi]], [[Amity]], [[Bordon]], [[Connaught]], [[Hunan]], Kessel, [[New Hessen]], [[New Kyoto]], [[Ronel]], [[St. Andre]], [[Styk]], [[Tsitsang]], and [[Wei]]. Of the worlds hit, the Capellan Confederation took the brunt of the fighting.<ref name="JHS:Tp22">''Jihad Hot Spots: Terra'', p. 22: "Timeline of the Jihad"</ref><ref name="J:FRp56">''Jihad: Final Reckoning'', p. 56: "The Jihad In Review"</ref>
+In response to the recent raids and assaults on worlds within the [[Word of Blake Protectorate]], the Blakists launched raiding parties against various worlds around the Protectorate border in early September [[3076]]. Making use of weapons of mass destruction to augment the damage inflicting, the raiding parties - few of which were larger than a single [[Level III]] struck at the worlds of [[Algorab]], [[Alnasi]], [[Amity]], [[Bordon]], [[Connaught]], [[Hunan]], Kessel, [[New Hessen]], [[New Kyoto]], [[Ronel]], [[St. Andre]], [[Styk]], [[Tsitsang]] and [[Wei]]. Of the worlds hit, the Capellan Confederation took the brunt of the fighting.<ref name="JHS:Tp22">''Jihad Hot Spots: Terra'', p. 22, "Timeline of the Jihad"</ref><ref name="J:FRp56">''Jihad: Final Reckoning'', p. 56, "The Jihad In Review"</ref>
-====Dark Age====
+=== The Dark Age ===
-Following the incorporation of Kessel into the Republic of the Sphere, [[Exarch]] [[Devlin Stone]] made an effort to improve the quality of life for those living on Kessel by implementing a system whereby the landhold grants given to those on Kessel were increased slightly in exchange for guarantees that those awarded such grants would work to improve life on Kessel. Over the course of the following five decades the first signs of an improvement against various environmental indicators were seen, although the air and water remained tainted.<ref name=DARWp17/>
+Following the incorporation of Kessel into the Republic of the Sphere [[Exarch]] [[Devlin Stone]] made an effort to improve the quality of life for those living on Kessel by implementing a system whereby the landhold grants given to those on Kessel were increased slightly in exchange for guarantees that those awarded such grants would work to improve life on Kessel. Over the course of the following five decades the first signs of an improvement against various environmental indicators were seen, although the air and water remained tainted.<ref name=DARWp17/>
-One of the companies attracted to Kessel under Republican rule was [[AtmoClean Enterprises]], who established a prototype air purification plant on Gershtad, which was already home to the planet's largest spaceport. The only continent to still be home to regions of untamed wilderness by this point was Lobopov, although Lobopov was also home to a number of defunct strip-mining operations.<ref name=DARWp17/>
+One of the companies attracted to Kessel under Republican rule was [[AtmoClean Enterprises]], who established a prototype air purification plant on Gershtad, which was already home to the planets largest spaceport. The only continent to still be home to regions of untamed wilderness by this point was Lobopov, although Lobopov was also home to a number of defunct strip-mining operations.<ref name=DARWp17/>
-The planet's [[HPG]] station is one of the few working inside the [[Republic of the Sphere]] in [[3135]].<ref name=EDDAp4>''Era Digest: Dark Age'', p. 4: "Functional Republic HPGs as of 01 January 3135"</ref>
+The planet's [[HPG]] station is one of the few working inside the [[Republic of the Sphere]] in [[3135]].<ref name=EDDAp4>''Era Digest: Dark Age'', p. 4 "Functional Republic HPGs as of 01 January 3135"</ref>
-===Military Deployment===
+== Military Deployment ==
-{{columns-start|num=3}}
+===2765===
-====2765====
+* [[Eighth Skye Rangers]]<ref name=FR:2765LCAFpp18-19>''Field Report 2765: LCAF'', pp. 18-19, "Skye Rangers" - Regimental Status</ref>
-* [[Eighth Skye Rangers]]<ref name=FR:2765LCAFpp18-19>''Field Report 2765: LCAF'', pp. 18–19: "Skye Rangers" - Regimental Status</ref>
-====2786====
+===2786===
-* Eighth Skye Rangers<ref name="FSWp139">''First Succession War'', p. 139: "First Succession War Deployment Table - LCAF"</ref>
+* Eighth Skye Rangers<ref name="FSWp139">''First Succession War (Source Book)'', p. 139, "First Succession War Deployment Table - LCAF"</ref>
-====2864====
+===2864===
-* [[Antares Scorpions]]<ref name="SSWp100">''Second Succession War'', p. 100: "Second Succession War Deployment Table - Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces"</ref>
+* [[Antares Scorpions]] <ref name="SSWp100">''Second Succession War (Sourcebook)'', p. 100, "Second Succession War Deployment Table - Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces"</ref>
-====2821====
+===2821===
 * [[Eighth Skye Rangers]]<ref name="FSWp139"/>
-====3025====
+===3025===
-* [[Third Dieron Regulars]]<ref name=HK133>''House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)'', p. 133: "Unit Deployment Table"</ref>
+* [[3rd Dieron Regulars|Third Dieron Regulars]]<ref name=HK133>''House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)'', p. 133, "Unit Deployment Table"</ref>
-{{column}}
-====3025====
-* [[Twelfth Sun Zhang Academy Cadre]]<ref name=HK133/>
-====3038====
+===3025===
-* Twelfth Sun Zhang Academy Cadre<ref name=H:Wo3039>''Historical: War of 3039'', p. 139: "Deployment Table"</ref>
+* [[12th Sun Zhang Academy Cadre|Twelfth Sun Zhang Academy Cadre]]<ref name=HK133/>
-====3040====
+===3038===
+* Twelfth Sun Zhang Academy Cadre<ref name=H:Wo3039>''Historical: War of 3039'', p. 139, "Deployment Table"</ref>
+===3040===
 * Twelfth Sun Zhang Academy Cadre<ref name=H:Wo3039/>
-====3050====
+===3050===
-* Twelfth Sun Zhang Academy Cadre<ref name=20YU40>''20 Year Update'', p. 40: "Draconis Combine Deployment Table"</ref>
+* Twelfth Sun Zhang Academy Cadre<ref name=20YU40>''20 Year Update'', p. 40, "Draconis Combine Deployment Table"</ref>
-{{column}}
-====3059====
+===3059===
-* Third Dieron Regulars (First and Third [[Battalion]]s)<ref name=FMDC132>''Field Manual: Draconis Combine'', p. 132: "Draconis Combine Deployment Table"</ref>
+* Third Dieron Regulars (1st & 3rd [[Battalion]])<ref name=FMDC132>''Field Manual: Draconis Combine'', p. 132, "Draconis Combine Deployment Table"</ref>
-* [[Fortieth Dieron Regulars]]<ref name=FMDC132>''Field Manual: Draconis Combine'', p. 132: "Draconis Combine Deployment Table"</ref>
+* [[40th Dieron Regulars|Forty Dieron Regulars]]<ref name=FMDC132>''Field Manual: Draconis Combine'', p. 132, "Draconis Combine Deployment Table"</ref>
-====3067====
+===3067===
-* Fortieth Dieron Regulars<ref name=FMU117>''Field Manual: Updates'', p. 117: "Draconis Combine Deployment Table"</ref>
+* Forty Dieron Regulars<ref name=FMU117>''Field Manual: Updates'', p. 117, "Draconis Combine Deployment Table"</ref>
-====3079====
+===3079===
-* [[Fifth Sun Zhang Academy Cadre]]<ref>''Field Report: DCMS'', p. 14: "Sun Zhang Regimental Status"</ref>
+* [[5th Sun Zhang Academy Cadre|Fifth Sun Zhang Academy Cadre]]<ref>''Field Report: DCMS'', p. 14, "Sun Zhang Regimental Status"</ref>
-:- The unit was deployed across Kessel and [[Alrakis]]. The Fifth was at 45% of full strength, with 70% of their equipment featuring upgraded technology.
+:- At this point in time the 5th Sung Zhang Academy Cadre were deployed across, Kessel and [[Alrakis]]. The 5th was at 45% of full strength, with 70% of their equipment featuring upgraded technology.
-{{columns-end}}
-<!-- Commented out due to lack of information
-===Geography===
--->
-===Planetary Locations===
+== Planetary Locations ==
-* Figueroa City<ref>''Dark Age: 3136 Levin's List'', p. 8: "19 July 3136"</ref>
+{{scrollbox|
 * Kelgars Ridge<ref name=TBWCp14>''Tales of the Black Widow Company'', p. 14</ref>
-* Sverdlovsk: the planetary capital<ref name=DARWp17/>
+}}
-** Plantagenet Theatre: active as of [[3136]]<ref name=DALNp52>''Dark Age: LinkNet Articles (3136)'', p. 52: "Review of ''Requiem for 3 Planets'', Coyote Bay Collective"</ref>
-===Companies and Industries===
+== Industrial Centers ==
-* [[Diverse Optics Incorporated]]<ref>''Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers'', p. 163: "Lushann Industrials Limited"</ref>
+* [[Diverse Optics Incorporated]]<ref>''Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers'', p. 163, "Lushann Industrials Limited"</ref>
-<!-- Commented out due to lack of information
-===Local Flora and Fauna===
--->
-===Image gallery===
+==Gallery==
 <gallery>
 File:Crest-Kessel.png|Planetary flag
 </gallery>
-==Map Gallery==
+== Nearby Systems ==
-<div class="system-map-gallery"></div>
-==Nearby Systems==
 <!-- NOTE: This table is automatically generated by BattleTechWiki:Project_Planets/Mapping, and any edits to this section may be overwritten at any time by a bot -->
 {|class="wikitable nearby-systems" style="background: #gray; text-align:center; border: 1px solid black;"
@@ Line 240: / Line 221: @@
 | class="over30" | [[Cebalrai]]
 | class="over30" | 36.0
-| class="over30" | [[Gamma Sagittarius]]
+| class="over30" | [[Alnasl|Alnasi]]
 | class="over30" | 36.0
 | class="over30" | [[Lambrecht]]
@@ Line 278: / Line 259: @@
 | class="over30" | [[Carnwath]]
 | class="over30" | 50.0
-| class="over30" | [[Imbros]]
+| class="over30" | [[Imbros III|Imbros]]
 | class="over30" | 50.8
 | class="over30" | [[Phalan]]
@@ Line 285: / Line 266: @@
 | class="over30" | [[Shionoha]]
 | class="over30" | 51.2
-| class="over30" | [[Juniper (system)|Juniper]]
-| class="over30" | 53.2
 | class="over30" | [[Zebebelgenubi]]
 | class="over30" | 53.3
+| class="over30" | [[Juniper (system)|Juniper]]
+| class="over30" | 54.1
 | class="over30" | [[Skye]]
 | class="over30" | 54.5
@@ Line 298: / Line 279: @@
 | class="over30" | [[Alexandria (LC)|Alexandria]]
 | class="over30" | 55.0
-| class="over30" | [[Pike (system)|Pike]]
+| class="over30" | [[Pike IV|Pike]]
 | class="over30" | 55.5
 |-
@@ Line 312: / Line 293: @@
 |}
-==References==
+== References ==
 <references />
-==Bibliography==
+== Bibliography ==
-{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
 * ''[[20 Year Update]]''
-* ''[[Dark Age: 3136 Levin's List]]''
-* ''[[Dark Age: LinkNet Articles (3136)]]''
-* ''[[Dark Age: Republic of the Sphere]]''
 * ''[[Dark Age: Republic Worlds (3130)]]''
 * ''[[Era Report: 2750]]''
@@ Line 328: / Line 305: @@
 * ''[[Field Manual: 3085]]''
 * ''[[Field Manual: 3145]]''
+* ''[[Field Manual: SLDF]]''
 * ''[[Field Manual: Draconis Combine]]''
-* ''[[Field Manual: SLDF]]''
 * ''[[Field Manual: Updates]]''
+* ''[[Field Report 2765: LCAF]]''
 * ''[[Field Report: DCMS]]''
 * ''[[Field Report: LAAF]]''
-* ''[[Field Report 2765: LCAF]]''
+* ''[[First Succession War (Source Book)|First Succession War]]''
-* ''[[First Succession War (sourcebook)|First Succession War]]''
 * ''[[Handbook: House Kurita]]''
 * ''[[Handbook: House Steiner]]''
@@ Line 346: / Line 323: @@
 * ''[[Jihad Hot Spots: Terra]]''
 * ''[[Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents]]''
+* ''[http://home.ifi.uio.no/~oysteint/btech/maps/IS_3130.pdf Map of the Inner Sphere 3130]''
 * ''[[Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers]]''
-* ''[[Second Succession War (sourcebook)|Second Succession War]]''
+* ''[[Second Succession War (Sourcebook)|Second Succession War]]''
-* ''[[Shattered Fortress]]''
 * ''[[Tales of the Black Widow Company]]''
-{{div col end}}
+* ''[[Dark Age: Republic of the Sphere]]''
-[[Category:Systems|Kessel]]
+[[Category:Planets|Kessel]]
-[[Category: Draconis Combine Systems]]
+[[Category: Draconis Combine Planets]]
-[[Category: Federation of Skye Systems]]
+[[Category: Federation of Skye Planets]]
-[[Category: Independent Systems]]
+[[Category: Independent Planets]]
-[[Category: Lyran Commonwealth Systems]]
+[[Category: Lyran Commonwealth Planets]]
-[[Category: Rasalhague Dominion Systems]]
+[[Category: Rasalhague Dominion Planets]]
-[[Category: Republic of the Sphere Systems]]
+[[Category: Republic of the Sphere Planets]]