Terraforming

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Terraforming was the process of modifying the atmosphere, temperature, surface, or ecology of a planet, moon, planetoid, or other celestial object in order to replicate or resemble the environment of Earth, thus making it habitable for human life.

History

Terraforming practice officially began on February 2nd, 2016, when using a precursor to the atmospheric processor of his own invention, Peter Weyland was able to generate a localized synthetic atmosphere above the polar ice cap, effectively ending global warming.

On November 18th, 2026, Weyland Corp privatized NASA's famous Kepler space telescope, increasing its funding 10-fold and within the year discovered 6,546 more bio-compatible planets.

By the end of the twenty–first century, full–scale terraforming was deemed inefficient and expensive, and was thus sidelined by the newly–minted Weyland-Yutani Corporation. In lieu of changing an inhospitable world to suit colonists, planets with conditions and terrain matching those of Earth—and thus requiring a minimum of effort to make habitable—were sought. Origae-6 was one such world, and was slated for settlement by the crew of the colony ship USCSS Covenant. Other such terraforming expeditions included the Concordat mission to the Hyades Cluster chartered by Hyperdyne Systems, as well as the Arceon, Affiance, and Allegiance missions.

As the twenty–second century wore on, Weyland–Yutani revived the Weyland processor concept and created a new version, with many of the safety systems featured in the older model removed. Resultantly, terraforming once more became an economically feasible concept. By 2186, advances such as the self–contained Prefab Automated Atmosphere Processor Module and Omni-Tech's Atmospheric Bloom Deployment Probe were available.

Terraforming processes

Shake and bake

The "shake and bake" process involved the establishment of Atmosphere Processing Plants, which were constructed and overseen by teams of planetary engineers. The process took decades; afterward, the local corporate interest could decide on the site's purpose.^[1]

Extra crispy

The "extra crispy" process of terraforming consisted of burning away the toxic atmosphere of a planet or moon prior to the establishment of an atmosphere processor. Environments on such worlds often bore a smell comparable to that of burned cat hair, though long–term residents eventually paid it no mind.^[1]

Giffy popped

The "Giffy popped" process was invented by scientist Edmund C. Giff, and revolved around wrecking a planet's ecology to quickly acquire the resources within. Such settlements were overseen from orbital platforms. Unconfirmed rumors abounded that Volcus, an Independent Core System Colonies world in the Heske 337 System, was a Giffy popped colony that had been impacted by a rogue moon.^[1]

Armed and hammered

"Armed and hammered" colonies were strategically placed settlements usually established on barren moons without atmospheres. The process involved the use of geothermal spikes dubbed Deep Nails, which were hammered into the moon of the world to harness its power for the colony.^[1]

Terraforming equipment

In addition to atmospheric processing stations, pressurizers and oxygen generating tanks, the terraforming process of a planet or moon required aditional equipment, ranging from colonial ships to portable spectrographers through various kinds of vehicles.

Algae bloom tanks

Algae bloom tanks were used at the Trono colony on LV-871; however, the process was ultimately unsuccessful.

Colony ships

Main article: Colony ship

Colony ships were the workhorses of any terraforming and colonization effort, being specifically designed to transport all necessary equipment for the establishment of a new settlement. Example classes included the Model CY78.3 Affiance-class U extended range colony ship, the Model TB22C Borrowdale-class R Modular Colonial Transfer Vehicle, and the Type 3300B Deucalion-class X expedition colony carrier.

Cargo Lifter

Main article: WY-37B cargo lifter sled

Cargo Lifters were sled–like transports with four engines, and primarily used to lift and haul cargo from a colony ship. Cargo lifts were not designed for deep space launch, though it could withstand atmospheric reentry.^[2]

Terra–Truck

Main article: Weyland-Yutani 6x6 Terra-Truck

The Terra–Truck was a six–wheeled vehicle used in terraforming. The truck was equipped with a folding excavation fork.

Colonial construction vehicle

Main article: Weyland-Yutani Colonial Construction Vehicle

The Weyland–Yutani Colonial Construction Vehicle was an articulated vehicle with the capability to perform various tasks during the establishment of a colony.

ATVs

All Terrain Vehicles were a wide range of tracked and wheeled vehicles used for quick transportation on off-world colonies and locations. Some of them, like the NR6 model and the RT Series Transport, were manufactured by Weyland Corp.

The NR6 was a two-person transport vehicle with 4-tread, track-belted wheels able to negotiate near-vertical terrain carrying small payloads or one passenger. It could reach top speeds of 88 mph in standard atmospheric pressure and gravitational pull.

Third generation settlers from the agricolony of Tirgu-Mires also used a type of ATV manufactured by the Chigusa Corporation. This was a four wheeled, two seat vehicle with a cargo bay which could accomodate up to four passengers. It was equipped with a cargo net, a spare tire on the driver's side, a front winch and a pair of flood lights over the stabilization bar.

Parameter Uplink Spectagraphs

Main article: Parameter Uplink Spectagraph

PUPS were automated, orb-shaped three-dimensional mapping devices developed by Weyland Corp as the next generation piece of equipment for geologists and engineers. Its purpose was surveying unknown planetary terrain during the pre-terraforming process.^[3]

Nonhuman terraforming

Humans were not the only ones to modify their environment for their purposes. At least one other species in the Milky Way, the Engineers, had used their technology for the terraforming process.

In 2093, during the Prometheus expedition on the moon LV-223, Dr. Elizabeth Shaw and her team found a breathable atmosphere within one of the pyramids. The air was described as 'pure.'^[4]

Years later in 2179, survivors from the nearby Hadley's Hope colony crashed on the moon, and engineer Derrick Russell found that LV-223 had undergone a million-year terraforming process in just 80 years. A month later, he found terraforming equipment in one of the temples, designed to create a breathable atmosphere and add some genetic material.^[5] It was speculated that this equipment, along with the use of a pathogen, was responsible for the genetic biodiversity on the moon.

A single Engineer vessel's plasma-based technology enabled temperature, atmospheric composition, humidity patterns, and wind fluctuations to mimic conditions expected during the embryonic stage of a terraforming process.^[6]

Appearances

• Aliens/novel
• Alien: River of Pain
• Alien: The Weyland-Yutani Report
• Alien: Covenant/novel (mentioned only)
• Alien: Covenant - Origins (mentioned only)
• Alien: The Roleplaying Game
• Aliens: Fireteam Elite (mentioned only)
• Building Better Worlds

Notes and references