Opposition: Mars Timeline

The establishment of an unmanned refueling station in orbit marked a major milestone in the era of chemical rocket-powered spaceflight, dramatically reducing take-off weight.

The Second International Space Station completes construction of primary modules, allowing it to assume the role of its predecessor. Several times larger than its predecessor, ISS 2 had a much higher crew capacity, allowing it to support a wide variety of scientific and engineering endeavors.

The "First War in Space" begins as The US Space Corps clashes with Chinese ships over orbital territory disputes. The conflict ends quickly, expending most orbital military assets in the span of a single battle, but the precedent leads to a new space arms race.

Following the initial successes of the SAHB project on Earth, preparations are made to develop SAHB colonists on Mars for future permanent colonization. 79 human egg cells are successfully fertilized with genetics predisposed to tolerating the unique austerities of the Martian environment.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization constructs their own lunar base, relatively adjacent to the main American lunar colony. The US accuses China of engaging in extraterrestrial brinkmanship and redoubles colonial expansion efforts.

The first instance of viable plant life occurs outside of the Martian colony. Though the nano-algae was engineered and seeded by the Mars Colony's botanical department, it demonstrated the capability to reproduce on its own, marking the way for more complex flora to be developed.

Bombing campaigns as part of the war have destroyed most terrestrial launch facilities including Cape Canaveral, Baikunor and Xichang, stranding all orbital and colonial facilities and any ships without the organic ability to deorbit. Those that remain aloft are threatened by a Kessler Syndrome event triggered by the war.

Catastrophic life support failure at main Mars Colony kills dozens and threatens long term environmental sustainability. The Martian Colonists are unable to affect repairs with resources at hand. Projections grim as colonists not expected to survive the year at current rate of resource consumption.

New launch facilities are built in Africa to reconnect with space. The Uhuru Spaceport, situated along the coast of Kenya to the north of the city of Malindi, became an important fixture in the mission to reach the stars once again.

The Colony AI informs Hana that terraforming effects have reached the point where atmosphere and climate conditions should be tolerable for Martian SAHBs. Hana triggers first wave of SAHB gestation.

The first unmanned resupply rocket is launched to the moon from Uhuru Spaceport, delivering much needed supplies in time to ward off starvation for the last 7 survivors.

Manned mission launched to Luna to rescue survivors and begin rebuilding. Three of the "lucky seven" decide to return to Earth. The rest remain attached to their new home.

An unmanned probe launched from Earth in the year prior finds plant life and a near-habitable atmosphere, but no sign of human survivors.

GAW comes to an end with South Africa achieving almost all strategic objectives due to more advanced military. Armistace Line and DMZ established. AU spurred into making leaps in military readiness for future conflicts.

Reclamation of pre-war colonies and construction of new ones takes place in anticipation of a large scale resettlement of the Moon.

Manned mission to Mars surprised to be met with violent resistance from tribal groups with primitive weapons. Most are killed, but a distress signal and log of events is sent out to Earth before the survivors are captured.

With majority consent of international community, TASA launches military expedition to Mars to secure a safezone for future Terran missions.   300 TASA Marines supported by 3 ships conduct Operation Plymouth, establishing a base camp near the Mariner Valley. Marines encounter a small tribe who are almost eradicated due to confrontation. Small recon elements sent to observe native Martians in the Mariner region.

Scientific, Medical, and Diplomatic personnel from African Union and several allied nations head to Mars to attempt peaceful contact.

Worker protests in African Union controlled Mining Colonies on Earth's Moon turn violent, resulting in economic hardship. PAC Provocateurs discovered to have agitated the riots as corporate sabotage resulting in rapidly increasing tensions between the two polities.