Iapetus

Iapetus is one of only 2 of Saturn's moons that does not orbit within range of the planet's equator - the other being Phoebe. Aside from that, the moon is primarily known for its leading and trailing hemispheres being radically different. The albedo of most of the leading hemisphere is as dark as lampblack, while the trailing hemisphere’s albedo is as bright as Europa. The most recent prevailing theory for this odd dark/light phenomenon is that Iapetus must have absorbed another, darker body at some point over the millennia: the remnants of another moon, or perhaps one of Saturn’s rings.
Whatever it was, and whatever the cause, the ‘dark’ side of Iapetus is covered in minerals ready for harvesting right there on the surface. The colonists have built special mechs that make regular runs to sweep the surface for these materials for export and sale off-moon. This type of ‘mining’ costs so much less than traditional methods that the moon has been able to support itself entirely through mineral sweeping and sales. Recent discovery of Helium-3 deposits and the building of refineries has only strengthened and diversified their economy. Most of Iapetus’ residents work in the collection and refinement of minerals for export, and live in its small group of underground habitats.

Type

Planetoid / Moon

Location under

Saturn

Owning Organization

The United Nations

Contested By

• The Outer Planets Alliance