Hydrogen Mining
In this day and age, the galaxy runs on hydrogen. And we're happy to meet the supply.
Perception
Purpose
Hydrogen Mining is one of the largest sources of employment in the Hyades Cluster, as hydrogen is the main ingredient of starship fuel. Originally, Jump-Drives were designed to run using hydrogen due to the abundance of the element in gas giants all throughout the Hyades Cluster. Now, despite the fact that hydrogen is no longer free at most major systems, hydrogen based J-Drives are still by far the most common model. Mining hydrogen is common in all major systems, where, in addition to being sold as fuel, it can be shipped back to planetside locations for various other uses. In some systems near the center of the Hyades Cluster that are along the most frequently used travel routes, upwards of 1000 hydrogen skimmers can be found on a singular planet.
Legality
For many inhabited systems, selling fuel mined at a local gas giant to passing ships is a common way to generate income. For this reason hydrogen mining is illegal at most inhabited world for anyone not working directly for the governing body of the system. This has lead to the creation of hydrogen smuggling, where unauthorized ships will attempt to gather hydrogen and resell it to passing ships at a discount. Another common illegal practice is scooping, where passing ships will skim the surface of the gas giant to gather fuel and jump away before being caught. To combat these illegal activities, most gas giants are closely watched and patrolled by their owners. Police space stations are often found orbiting gas giants, or hiding beneath their surfaces. Some systems also cut deals with mercenaries, allowing them free use of the gas giant in exchange for their help guarding it.
Operations
Tools
The most common method of gathering hydrogen is via Hydrogen Skimmers, massive ships that glide through the atmosphere of a planet, using their scoopers to collect hydrogen. Although less common, Aerostats are also sometimes used. Allowed to freely float within the atmosphere of a gas giant, they gather hydrogen slower and in lower quantities than Hydrogen Skimmers. They are usually used by governments who cannot afford to pay crews to man Skimmers.
Type
Raw Materials Gathering
Demand
High, hydrogen mining is a major source of income for many systems
Related Locations
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