After the 22nd century, the huge amount of resources poured into terraforming Mars left a sour taste amongst the populace of the Sol system. The expenditure resulted in a barely habitable planet with little in the way of practical economic development, and the opportunity cost left other key gravity wells of the system underdeveloped. Critics have argued the zealotry in the attempt was a major contribution to the collapse of the Pan Asian Combine, which turned to more drastic measures to turn around its demographic and economic crisis, ultimately resulting in the Zhongzhi event.
Still, the terraforming process resulted in notable technologies and infrastructure that the Indo League would take advantage of. As the Pan Asian Combine burned to a shell of itself in the early 23rd century, the IL rose to the occasion, taking advantage of the power vacuum to stake its claim in the Sol system. With the AU and CW busy containing the chaos via operations Distant Flock and Heavy Chorus, the IL expanded its space infrastructure amongst the Asteroid Belt and most notably, the Inner Planets, Mercury and Venus.
The Morning Star Directive wasn't an easy sell to the international community, as it was met with heavy resistance by terraformer critics. However, the IL found an ally in the Inner Solar Energy Association, successfully proposing investment into Venus as part of the greater Dyson Swarm project. The ISEA was already in a decades-long competition with its rival, the Outer Solar Energy Association, facing a losing battle with heavy AU and CW investment in outer planetary infrastructure. Thus, the ISEA agreed to the Morning Star Directive, leveraging its influence amongst energy corporations to approve it, while the Indo League mobilized its large manpower to begin a slow, more conservative colonization process of Venus.
By the early 24th century, the IL solidified its influence on Venus. Floating habs in the upper layers of Venus' atmosphere provide platforms for science and tourism. On the ground, bases line Maxwell Montes, the tallest mountain range of Venus. Amongst these ground bases, mining operations are conducted to provide readily accessible resources for orbital and upper-atmospheric constructions. As part of the deal with the ISEA, Venusian orbit is filled with solar array satellites, collecting energy partially distributed to the Venusian colonies, partially contributed to the ISEA Dyson Swarm. A satellite array has also been constructed to study the feasibility of a star lifter. If successful, one day direct fusion fuel collection from the Sun itself at the system level could be possible.
For now, a few thousand colonists primarily from the Indo League call Venus home. Resources have been split between terraforming the planet with carbon capture machines and atmospheric magnetizers; and expanding the energy infrastructure of the Inner System. Due to the Indo Leagues more conservative, slower approach, and resource allocation to improving the Sol system as a whole, criticism has been largely suppressed.
Still, the terraforming process resulted in notable technologies and infrastructure that the Indo League would take advantage of. As the Pan Asian Combine burned to a shell of itself in the early 23rd century, the IL rose to the occasion, taking advantage of the power vacuum to stake its claim in the Sol system. With the AU and CW busy containing the chaos via operations Distant Flock and Heavy Chorus, the IL expanded its space infrastructure amongst the Asteroid Belt and most notably, the Inner Planets, Mercury and Venus.
The Morning Star Directive wasn't an easy sell to the international community, as it was met with heavy resistance by terraformer critics. However, the IL found an ally in the Inner Solar Energy Association, successfully proposing investment into Venus as part of the greater Dyson Swarm project. The ISEA was already in a decades-long competition with its rival, the Outer Solar Energy Association, facing a losing battle with heavy AU and CW investment in outer planetary infrastructure. Thus, the ISEA agreed to the Morning Star Directive, leveraging its influence amongst energy corporations to approve it, while the Indo League mobilized its large manpower to begin a slow, more conservative colonization process of Venus.
By the early 24th century, the IL solidified its influence on Venus. Floating habs in the upper layers of Venus' atmosphere provide platforms for science and tourism. On the ground, bases line Maxwell Montes, the tallest mountain range of Venus. Amongst these ground bases, mining operations are conducted to provide readily accessible resources for orbital and upper-atmospheric constructions. As part of the deal with the ISEA, Venusian orbit is filled with solar array satellites, collecting energy partially distributed to the Venusian colonies, partially contributed to the ISEA Dyson Swarm. A satellite array has also been constructed to study the feasibility of a star lifter. If successful, one day direct fusion fuel collection from the Sun itself at the system level could be possible.
For now, a few thousand colonists primarily from the Indo League call Venus home. Resources have been split between terraforming the planet with carbon capture machines and atmospheric magnetizers; and expanding the energy infrastructure of the Inner System. Due to the Indo Leagues more conservative, slower approach, and resource allocation to improving the Sol system as a whole, criticism has been largely suppressed.