IronSky

IronSky

Type: Terrestrial 

Primary Star: G3V (Yellow Dwarf)

Gravity: .8 g

Diameter: 9,788 km

Atmospheric Pressure: .46 atm

Atmospheric Composition: 66% Nitrogen, 26% Oxygen, 5% Sulfur dioxide, 1% CO2, 1% argon

Surface Temperature (Mean): -21 C

Day Length: 28.6 Hours

Orbital Period: 353

Satellites: 1 (Anvil) 

Gate Access: Vulcanoid Gate

Notes: High Radiation, Resources Available, Natural Phenomena (Regular Snowfall), Transhuman Settlement (TerraGenesis Research Facility)

IronSky is an unusual exoplanet, a rarity in several ways. At one time, it appears to have been a standard terrestrial world, a little lighter and thinner than Earth but with a carbon cycle and may have had life, but since appears to have encountered an Ice Age. However, TerraGenesis research has managed to discover that "Ice Age" may not be appropriate - and instead IronSky seems like it is suffering from a "Blast Winter". Looking at it's recent geological history, it seems like IronSky was originally a jungle planet, lower than Earth's ocean coverage, but much more water vapor in the atmosphere - and should have had a diverse biosphere. But then, in a relatively close geologic event some massive calamity has occurred, ejecting large amounts of debris into the atmosphere, dramatically cooling the planet and causing a mass extinction event of all signs of anything other than extremophile microbes. However, the source of this winter is some what up for debate. Background levels of radiation on IronSky are somewhat high, pockets of which can be harmful to unshielded transhumans - and while impact sites have not directly been discovered, a question remains: was IronSky home to sentient life which wiped itself out, or was it a planet struck by a meteor and rendered mostly lifeless, with the impact agitating native radioactive elements? TerraGenesis has set up a small research base to attempt to uncover the truth and learn from it. They also house a small wing of terraforming scientists, interested in possible ways to reverse the damage to IronSky, and if reliable samples of its lifeforms can be found, to catalog and even resurrect them. The name comes from the project name assigned the planet by TerraGenesis, which in turn is related to the fact that metallic and carbonaceous ash still rain down with regular snowfall, which severely limits astral navigation and the range of sensor systems to examine the planet. The near 100% cloud coverage also gives the planet a dim, grey cast at all times. Tidal data and orbital probes have determined that IronSky has a single large moon, similar to Luna, but not much else is known. The IronSky gate complex has been built in a low valley, which is filled with the petrified remains of what appears to be local flora.