World Building Spotlight

Worldbuilding in the Space Squad 51 Universe…

Life in the human colonies of the Sol system has evolved dramatically since the earliest settlements. The first colonies were established by corporations seeking to exploit the solar system’s resources. These settlements were rudimentary and barely habitable. Domes blocked out the sky but retained necessary oxygen and temperature. Citizens were forced to purchase air, food, power, and water rations to ensure they worked consistently. Housing and minimal healthcare were provided only as long as one remained employed. Life expectancy in colonies near Earth rarely exceeded forty years, and colonies beyond Saturn were harsher, with many citizens living less than twenty-five years.

Following the rebellion that overthrew corporate rule, life improved—but the colonies still faced finite resources. Citizens continued to purchase rations, primarily as incentives to maintain essential services. Today, only air rations remain, effectively functioning as a tax rather than a survival requirement.

Modern colonies feature transparent domes, acting as protective shields rather than physical barriers. This innovation allows cities to expand and gives citizens a view of the skies and the wonders of space. Urban design consists of towers, generally eight stories or shorter, with apartments, businesses, and services stacked vertically. Shops and services are concentrated on lower floors, making daily life convenient.

While the colonies are now safer and thriving, living in space remains dangerous. Orphaned children are a persistent societal challenge, and some necessary jobs—like mining—carry unavoidable risks. Each colony is governed by a governor and council, and while equality is widely promoted, human greed still exists, albeit less tolerated. Manufacturing robots is a priority to support the growing colonies and reduce human risk.

Colonial life is also full of unique traditions. Inside-Out Sock Day celebrates an old Mars corporate rule requiring workers to wear socks inside-out to prevent static buildup. Today, it’s marked by lavish sock fashions, parades, parties, and gift exchanges. Blue Scarf Day, observed across the Sol system, honors Thijin Ocklan and commemorates the rebellion that freed humanity from corporate rule.

From harsh beginnings to a thriving, organized society, life in the colonies is a testament to human resilience, adaptability, and a growing culture of creativity—even in the vacuum of space.

Worldbuilding the Space Squad 51 Universe…

Space travel is the lifeblood of the Sol system, connecting colonies scattered across planets, moons, and the far reaches of the Oort Cloud. Citizens of both the Inner and Outer Sol rely on spaceships of all shapes and sizes to travel between colonies, though most colonists never leave the world they were born on.

For those who do venture into the stars, opportunities abound. Some salvage abandoned ships and space debris, others transport cargo, and a few operate traveling businesses that journey from colony to colony. Among the more whimsical creations are amusement ships, mobile amusement parks that bring fun and entertainment to different worlds.

Most ships are capable of both atmospheric flight and deep-space travel, while others are designed for shorter journeys within a single colony’s skies. Orbital Rescue Services (ORS) employs ships called Hueys, reminiscent of Earth’s helicopters, paying homage to the early days of human rescue operations. CHOPs maintains a small armed fleet to protect the Sol and patrol its borders, but beyond that, ships are largely private and come in endless variations.

Every ship has an onboard AI to assist with navigation and operation. Interestingly, Outer Sol citizens often upgrade their AIs with more personality, despite these enhancements being illegal. Outlings must hide these upgrades from authorities, giving their ships a clandestine charm.

Humans have colonized as far as Planet X and explored partway into the Oort Cloud, but interstellar travel beyond the solar system remains unachieved. While humanity has yet to meet extraterrestrial life—aside from the carnivorous moss balls on Spaceberg—recent breakthroughs in fusion propulsion promise the first mission beyond the Sol system. A new era of long-term space travel is on the horizon, and the stars may finally be within humanity’s reach.

Worldbuilding from the Space Squad 51 Universe…

CHOPs, the Council of Human Occupied Planets, is the governing body of the entire Sol system. It is made up of representatives from every planet and colony. Some are elected, some appointed. That depends on the local governance of each colony.

The main headquarters is located on Ganymede, which often ruffles moods in the Outer Sol due to its conspicuous location in the Inner Sol. To ease this tension, CHOPs has established a secondary headquarters on Charon, ensuring a balance between the Inner and Outer Sol territories.

CHOPs’ responsibilities are wide-ranging and essential for the stability of human civilization across the solar system. They oversee trade, resource distribution, and disputes between colonies, while promoting scientific research and innovation. The council ensures colonies thrive, sets guidelines for organizations like Orbital Rescue Services (ORS) and the Disaster Aversion Team (DAT).

It also handles law, trials, and sentencing. With a goal of rehabilitation over punishment, CHOPs maintains a small network of prisons while often turning a blind eye to smuggling and the less aggressive ventures of Space Barons. Patrolling and dealing with space pirates is  left to the Outer Sol unless they threaten Inner Sol territories.

CHOPs also governs Earth’s recovery, approving which citizens may return and ensuring they provide essential services to maintain or improve the planet’s state. Beyond Earth, CHOPs supports dome and shield infrastructure on the colonies, offering a sense of stability and long-term sustainability to all human-occupied worlds.

From legal oversight to scientific advancement, CHOPs is the backbone of human society in the Sol system—an intricate organization that came into existence shortly after the colonies overthrew the corporations. It continues to keep a sprawling interplanetary civilization running.