Terraforming

Terraforming is the process by which a world's atmosphere, temperature, hydrosphere, topography, and ecology are altered. Although the process was believed for centuries to be incredibly difficult, research during the 23rd century has created a system that is remarkably fast and cheap. Terraforming a planet begins by establishing a terraforming station in orbit in order to oversee the process, and years of studying and planning. Once the administrative work is completed, the large-scale importation of gases, earth material, and water (or in some cases, the removal of water) begins. Continents are reshaped by using massive orbitally-deployed drills, while gases are dispersed from ground-based installations. Usually, the terraforming of a planet takes approximately 5-15 years, depending on existing planetary conditions.

Early terraforming methods were significantly more crude than current standards. Little thought was given to existing ecosystems, and the process was disruptive enough that any existing colonies had to be evacuated for the duration. Although terraforming is still extremely disruptive (and somewhat controversial), genetic modification allows for the artifical adaptation of existing ecosystems to their new environment.