Two government-backed private entities are vying for resources on the Moon and the asteroid belt. Following a rise in tensions between them, could outer space evolve into a battleground for a high intensity conflict?
It's 2030. Pioneering rocket fuel technologies, coupled with the discovery of valuable minerals in asteroids, are turning space into a new El Dorado. This holds the potential to disrupt the Circle's monopoly over raw materials. A ruthless techno-economic war begins.
Space offers a potentially infinite reservoir of raw materials, and theoretically, exploiting it could bypass the primary issues plaguing terrestrial mining, such as biotope destruction, air and water pollution, and resource depletion. Interest in mining celestial bodies has been on the rise since the 2010s. However, the challenges were many and, at that point, appeared insurmountable due to the cost of launching materials into space and the vast distances involved.
The PebbleX consortium was jointly created by the Polyhedron and the Cube to ensure their presence in the space race against their strategic competitors, the Trigone and the Circle.
As a strict theocracy intent on advancing its military and technological clout, the Republic of the Circle is a major global competitor. With vast space ambitions and control over critical industrial resources like metals and rare earths, it aims to establish itself as a leading global economic power.
The conquest of space has become an everyday reality. This exploration has given rise to some fascinating by-products that bear witness to our ever-growing fascination with space.
Take a piece of space home with this authentic asteroid from space mining. A captivating object to add to your personal collection.
Made from the debris of space robots, this technological jewel pushes the boundaries of imagination. Admire its futuristic allure!
Its dazzling polished moonstone illuminates your finger like a precious star. Every detail of this exquisite creation is a tribute to cosmic elegance.
Direct conflict in space remains infrequent and limited. Every ounce of material is costly, particularly if it necessitates extensive life-support systems. Most often, it's autonomous vehicles that do the fighting. Even at the peak of conflict, human-involved skirmishes are rare.
Warfare in space is mainly fought by robots, as human presence is scarce and expensive. While drones can be used on the outskirts of Earth, more distant operations require autonomous decision-making.
Until now, space has been a domain safeguarded from the use of nuclear weapons by international consensus. However, the Circle's thirst for power is manifesting in threats to deploy such weapons, potentially initiating a far more perilous phase in the space race.
