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.
