Horizon Station
Horizon Station is an artificial orbital ring surrounding Horizon. Constructed over the course of two years from 2304-2306 CE, it was the second orbital ring in UNE space. The ring orbits at a distance of approximately 500 kilometres above Horizon, and is connected to the planet with a series of repulsor-assisted space elevators. Major space elevators connect the ring to the largest equatorial industrial regions, allowing for rapid transfers of personnel and material between the ring and planet.
Following the successful completion of Earth Station in 2297 CE, plans were immediately made for additional orbital rings to be constructed across UNE space. As Horizon was the largest producer of orbital ring components, the decision was made to give it the second ring. This would reduce the bottleneck on future ring construction elsewhere in UNE space, as planetside industries on Horizon could move material into orbit at effectively zero cost. Construction preparations were expected to take only two years, but ended up taking six years as long-term production lines were established for future orbital ring sections. Construction began in 2304 CE and concluded in 2306 CE, whereupon the station was immediately opened to the public.
Horizon Station shares many design elements with Earth Station, and, like its predecessor, has received numerous upgrades and refurbishments in the decades since its construction. Both the interior and exterior sides of the ring have artificial biospheres, with the atmosphere contained via shields. Initially, the ring was going to have a biosphere imported from Earth to make it more hospitable to Humans. However, it was quickly identified that this would move quarantine procedures to the space elevators, drastically limiting the station's throughput. More importantly, many of the residents of Horizon objected to this, as they had already adapted to the planet's ecology.
In addition to residences and port facilities, many factories, foundries, and refineries are located on the ring. They provide a quick turnaround for imported materials brought to Horizon for processing. In some cases, a ship will offload raw materials, and a few hours later, take onboard finished goods that were made from the very supplies it delivered.
Following the successful completion of Earth Station in 2297 CE, plans were immediately made for additional orbital rings to be constructed across UNE space. As Horizon was the largest producer of orbital ring components, the decision was made to give it the second ring. This would reduce the bottleneck on future ring construction elsewhere in UNE space, as planetside industries on Horizon could move material into orbit at effectively zero cost. Construction preparations were expected to take only two years, but ended up taking six years as long-term production lines were established for future orbital ring sections. Construction began in 2304 CE and concluded in 2306 CE, whereupon the station was immediately opened to the public.
Horizon Station shares many design elements with Earth Station, and, like its predecessor, has received numerous upgrades and refurbishments in the decades since its construction. Both the interior and exterior sides of the ring have artificial biospheres, with the atmosphere contained via shields. Initially, the ring was going to have a biosphere imported from Earth to make it more hospitable to Humans. However, it was quickly identified that this would move quarantine procedures to the space elevators, drastically limiting the station's throughput. More importantly, many of the residents of Horizon objected to this, as they had already adapted to the planet's ecology.
In addition to residences and port facilities, many factories, foundries, and refineries are located on the ring. They provide a quick turnaround for imported materials brought to Horizon for processing. In some cases, a ship will offload raw materials, and a few hours later, take onboard finished goods that were made from the very supplies it delivered.
Founding Date
2304-2306 CE
Type
Orbital, Halo / Ringworld
Parent Location
Owning Organization
Comments