Altair I

Altair I is a rocky Mercury-sized Inner Colony mining outpost of humanity within the Altair system of the Orion Arm within the Milkyway Galaxy. Altair I get such intense solar radiation from its proximity to Altair and thin atmosphere, makes it unable to support any signs of life; but it is rich in minerals and metals. The UNF has established several mining operations extracting valuable resources.

Altair I is a geologically ancient, tidally influenced terrestrial body with no active tectonics or internal dynamism. Its lithosphere is solidified, fractured, and extensively layered with impact-modified regolith, created over billions of years of exposure to micrometeoroid bombardment and solar particle radiation. The planet’s overall surface is divided into three broad terrain types: cratered highlands, intercrater plains, and mineral-rich lowland basins. Cratering density is extremely high, indicating surface inactivity and minimal resurfacing since the Late Heavy Bombardment period of the Altair System. The northern hemisphere features a dense cluster of overlapping impact basins, including the Trenhal Crater Complex, a multi-ringed structure measuring over 210 kilometers in diameter. These basins are interspersed with brittle ridge systems and collapsed lava tubes from an early epoch of limited volcanism. Evidence of long-extinct volcanic vents and sinuous rilles suggests Altair I once experienced limited mantle upwelling and outgassing during its formative stage, although no current geothermal activity is measurable.   In contrast, the southern hemisphere contains the Drexxic Expanse, a broad, geochemically distinct lowland terrain spanning over 1.8 million km². This region is notable for shallow crustal layering and high concentrations of ferro-nickel alloys, as well as exposed veins of titanium, rare earth elements, and uranium-lead inclusions. Tectonic compression faults bisect the expanse, particularly along the Ventari Belt, a near-equatorial fracture zone marked by folded crust and linear ridge formations. Deep vertical fault exposure provides direct access to enriched subsurface ore, significantly reducing excavation costs. Across the equatorial band, heat-baked plateaus and solar-scoured plains dominate the landscape. These regions are subject to long-duration solar exposure due to the planet’s 3:2 spin-orbit resonance, creating surface vitrification in localized zones where silicate sands and dust have melted into glassy substrates. These “furnace fields” reach surface temperatures exceeding 400°C and pose severe hazards to both equipment and personnel. Materials used for mining installations in this region are required to meet Class VII thermal resistance standards.   Surface composition is dominantly anorthosite and basalt, with varying inclusions of metallic grains and impact-shocked breccias. Widespread regolith depth ranges from 8 to 22 meters in undisturbed regions, though crater ejecta blankets can exceed 30 meters in depth. There are no hydrological systems, ice deposits, or permanent shade zones; even the planet’s polar regions are devoid of cryogenic materials due to direct solar exposure during slow orbital rotation. Mining facilities are concentrated along geologically stable ridgelines and mineral outcrops, with major operations established within the Yelstrom Trough, Kalvik Ridge, and Devrak Sink. These industrial zones are supported by buried infrastructure to shield against radiation, micrometeoroids, and thermal stress. Remote drone extraction units operate in more volatile terrain, often pre-mapped by orbital surveyors and autonomous seismic probes.   There are no moons or rings affecting local gravitational dynamics, and tidal forces from Altair exert minimal crustal flexing. Dust accumulation is low due to the thin atmosphere and lack of wind activity, allowing direct line-of-sight for orbital telemetry and uninterrupted sensor operation across most of the surface.

Altair I experiences no weather systems due to its negligible atmospheric pressure and near-total lack of volatile compounds. The thin argon-helium atmosphere offers no protection against the harsh stellar radiation from Altair, resulting in extreme temperature differentials between its day and night sides.   Temperatures swing from searing highs of 430°C (806°F) on the sun-facing side to lows near -170°C (-290°F) in shadowed regions, especially within impact craters and collapsed lava tubes that trap cold air and inhibit solar penetration. With a 3:2 spin-orbit resonance, the same regions on the surface rotate into sunlight and darkness at predictable intervals, leading to repeated, intense thermal cycling over prolonged periods. This cyclical exposure causes the surface materials to expand and contract significantly, gradually fracturing rock structures and contributing to the slow breakdown of exposed terrain through thermal fatigue. Because of the planet’s weak gravity and low atmospheric density, heat dissipates quickly during its extended nights, and there is no convective mixing of gases. There are no wind currents, cloud formations, or precipitation of any kind. Heat transfer occurs primarily through radiation, and surface temperatures can vary drastically over short distances depending on topography, albedo, and solar angle of incidence. For example, highly reflective crater rims may remain significantly cooler than darker basaltic plains even during peak solar exposure.   Solar radiation levels at the surface exceed 2,800 μGy/h in absorbed dose rate and 3,250 μSv/h in equivalent dose, exposing unshielded materials and personnel to harmful levels of ionizing radiation. Prolonged exposure without protective shielding results in cumulative structural fatigue in equipment and significant radiation risks for human activity. Most mining operations occur during local night phases or within shielded environments that rely on passive thermal insulation and active radiative cooling systems. Because of the negligible atmospheric insulation and slow rotational cycle, the thermal environment is not only extreme but also highly stratified. Subsurface layers just a few meters below the surface experience far more stable temperatures, averaging around 120°C (248°F) in equatorial zones and dropping to -40°C (-40°F) in higher latitudes, allowing for controlled placement of thermal-sensitive equipment and limited human habitation.   Altair I does not undergo seasonal variation, as its 1.7° axial tilt is too small to cause meaningful redistribution of solar flux across latitudes. As a result, climate conditions remain constant throughout its 92-day orbital period, with any variability stemming solely from orbital eccentricity and local terrain factors. There is no magnetosphere to deflect solar wind, contributing further to surface radiation levels and gradual erosion of any lingering volatile compounds through direct photodissociation and sputtering.