Armstrong base
A history
"This was the first step. The first real step that is. The first step humanity had to work together for, the first step outside of the little bubble we call earth. That little dusty print on the moon, casted, preserved, and studied for decades: That was the true first step of humanity. And now it's time for the second." -- Mission log, Bruce Johnson, Captain of the Armstrong 19 mission (73 PA / 2042 AD).
Armstrong base was officially founded in 109 PA by Captain Bruce Johnson and his crew of 4. His crew stayed on mars for 473 days, and returned to Earth triumphantly after a mission length of 981 days.
Bruce and his crew left their habitation dome, and consecutive missions made use of and expanded the facilities. The original base was actually made approx. 1.2 km. west of the Marinares Valley rim, at about 6S, 10W.
The base was inhabited 62% of the time for the next 16 years, until the Mark Petty disaster (89 PA / 2058 AD) which killed commander Mark petty and his crew of 18. The crash was caused by a failure of one of the spaceship's maneuvering fins, ending the mission 3 minutes into atmospheric entry.
after the tragedy America leased Amrstrong base, then consisting of facilities (including hydroponics, bedrooms, recyclers, and labs) for 2 dozen crewmembers, to the United nations, to be administrated by LunaCorp. The base was re-furbished and inhabited (94 PA / 2073 AD), and has been continually inhabited ever since.
At the turn of the 22nd century, Mars officially opened up for colonization, led by the UN's new offworld administration branch. LunaCorp capitalized on the opportunity, founding the Spirit of Adventure station on Mars' largest satellite, Phobos. The station served as a (very lucrative) stopping point for the dozens of ships that arrived in the coming years.
Numerous bases were soon founded on mars, and planetary population soon grew into the hundreds of thousands. The first 'martianborn' colonist (allowed under the colonization rights of 64 PA / 2033 AD) was born in 135 PA / 2104 AD) the baby, named Asper, only survived 12 days. carrying a child to term on mars were banned for the next 17 years.
By (143 PA / 2112 AD), 70 million people were living in space, 1 million of which were over to far to have real-time communication with Earth. This led to the space government act of (150 PA / 2119) which allowed self-government for settlements that could prove sustainability over a period of ten years, and were 'far from earth' , further than 1 light-minute from earth. Under this treaty, Armstrong base officially became an independent province on mars, under the protection of the UN and still largely funded by LunaCorp. Armstrong base then held 214,000 people, and the ban on childbirth was lifted.
Protests against LunaCorp were held by an anti-administrative party in (161 PA / 2130 AD), which led to a relaxed grip, and more power to the regional government. In (167 PA / 2136 AD) LunaCorp officially released administration of the colony to the City council, then a group of 12 individuals representing 240,000 people. LunaCorp continues to operate Spirit of Adventure station, and retain exclusive rights over Armstrong Bases' mineral wealth and the territory of Phobos.
Armstrong base continued to grow over the next 2 centuries, growing steadily as Mars' biggest province. however, interest in mars was largely lost until the early 23rd century, when the council announced their project to make the largest dome in history, enclosing the Valles Marineres and pressurizing it to 30% Earth normal. The project, as yet unfinished, promises to double Mars' tourist industry, already the largest in the solar system.
As of 2400, the 'Green Valley' project is 70% complete, and sections of the dome have been brought up to partial pressure to introduce genetically modified fungus, which will lower the soil toxicity. There are plans of an 'aqueduct' from the top of Olympus Mons the the end of the valley, which will include a high speed rail. The Provincial council is now made up of 50 citizen representatives, 6 company/government liasons, and 2 chairmen. The current mayor of Armstrong base is James Dupont.
Government
The base is run by the Provincial council, made up of 58 members including 2 chairmen without vote. Elections for citizen representative postions are held every 2 years, with female elections being held on odd years and male elections being held on even years. The council falls under the authority of the Martian oversight commitee, based on Phobos. This commitee answers back to the Chairman of Martian Affairs, on earth.
Type
Outpost / Base
Population
2.1 Million
Inhabitant Demonym
Martian (More specifically, 'Strongians)
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