Ad Astra Universe

The Second Great Depression has ravaged the world for a decade since 2020. Resource shortages and increases in extreme weather events from global warming threaten any attempt at recovery. Political turmoil follows economic as America becomes ever more isolationist and rising powers across the globe assert ever bolder claims. National leaders look beyond their borders to assure access to vital goods while a rise in violent extremism threatens any internal security.   New discoveries of vast quantities of vital resources on Mars, as well as the development of technology to exploit them, have begun a global space race. Are the answers to the world's problems to be found on the red planet or will it be a front in a new global conflict?   Welcome to the Ad Astra Universe, a science fiction game where the players decide the future of humanity amongst the stars.