Ceres

Ceres is the closest dwarf planet to the Sun and the largest object in the Asteroid Belt. As of today it serves as the capital of the Belt Colonies, with its two major cities, Dawn and Gateway, serving as popular tourist destinations within the region.

Overview

Ceres orbits within the Asteroid Belt, taking around 4.6 years to make a full journey around the Sun, whereas a rotation only takes 9 hours. It is believed to be a failed planet, having not gained enough mass during the early Solar System, to become a proper planet.

Its surface is very rocky, featuring many large craters and rough plains, containing various salt deposits, along with a mantle of water ice. The presence of iron and water ice made it a promising site for a mining colony, which would come into effect during the late 21st century.

Observation and Exploration

Ceres was first observed by Giuseppe Piazzi in January of 1801, at the Palermo Observatory in Sicily, Italy. It was named after the Roman goddess of fertility. It wasn't until 2015 that Ceres was finally seen up-close, with NASA's Dawn space probe, studying the small icy world's surface and geography features.

Humans themselves wouldn't step foot on Ceres until the 2040s, when habitats were constructed on the planetoid's surface for mining, thanks to the abundance of water ice and other valuable minerals such as magnesium, iron and silicon. Due to its position between Mars and Jupiter, it was thought that Ceres could serve as a "gateway" to the outer solar system, and those heading to and from the outer planets can stop to both refuel and rest there during long journeys.

Colonisation

The original mining colony there had already become sufficient enough to grow into a proper settlement, being named Dawn, both in honour of the first probe to get there and as a symbol of it being a new dawn for the people of Ceres.

All mining and colonisation had been managed by the Solarian Confederation and CeresCorp, a new corporation created to oversee all operations and supply resources on the dwarf planet.

Things only escalated from there, towards the 2100s, a new city, Gateway, was constructed, to act as both a commercial hub and resting point for travellers between the inner and outer solar system. Further colonisation and mining projects in the Asteroid Belt became easier thanks to this, and as a result, a loose nation was formed, dubbed the Belt Colonies, with Ceres serving as its capital.

CeresCorp, now often known as C-corp, was transformed into the official governmental body of Ceres when it was properly colonised, soon being the main overseer of the Belt Colonies.

Surface transport

Due to Ceres' small size and uneven terrain in most areas, inter-colony transport is mostly left to commercial shuttle services. Though smaller settlements located near each other have tube-trains connecting them.

Society and culture

For such a small world, Ceres is considered to quite major, in-part to its position as a commercial hub for interplanetary travellers and being capital of the Belt Colonies. As a result, the people of Ceres (Ceresians or Cererians, depending on who you ask), are a proud people, as they believe in working hard to achieve, much like their Martian cousins.

The first colonial missions to the Jovian system were spearheaded from Ceres, making it an influential part of Solarian history, for which the Ceresians are immensely proud of.

Permanent residents of Ceres are a lot more spindly than baseline Humans, even more so than Martians, and don't venture off-world much.

Ceres has strict immigration laws, in-part to its small size as visitors only really stay for a temporary period of time. Those wishing to move there have to go through a citizenship test and a long wait for any permanent accommodation, however temporary accommodation is usually provided during this period.

Mining today

As of 2985, mining is kept to a minimum on Ceres as to prevent it from being hollowed out or creating sinkholes.

Major Settlements

Colonies on Ceres are located within airtight domes to protect them from the planetoid's airless environments. Trees are located inside these domes to keep the flow of oxygen going, though aritificial lighf is provided to keep them alive, as sunlight on Ceres isn't enough. Larger colonies such as Dawn and Gateway, while still having trees, have an air-recyling system beneath them to keep the air fresh. The trees here have been genetically engineered for the low-gravity environment and as a result, look otherworldly compared to their Earthly counterparts.

Dawn

The capital of Ceres and by extension, the Belt Colonies as a whole. Dawn is a lively city, with many independent businesses and a proud sense of heritage, with it mainly being a residential city and only long-term inhabitants of Ceres are permitted to live there. Nevertheless there are hotels where visitors can stay.

Dawn was named in honour of the space probe that visited the dwarf planet in 2015, though the name is also symbolic of the city being a new dawn for the people of Ceres when it was built.

Gateway

The main commercial hub of Ceres, serving as a popular destination for interplanetary travellers, heading to and from the outer solar system. Gateway is a welcoming and energetic city, brimming with just about anything a visitor could want, from fun restaurants to cosy places to stay at for weary travellers. From the outside, it appears as a bright, colourful city within its dome, being quite the contrast to the grey landscape surrounding it. Gateway is also the main source of economic income for the dwarf planet.

It is notable for being home to the solar system's second low-gravity theme park, after Loony's Lunar Park on Luna. Visitors and Ceresians alike visit this place each day for fun and leisure.

Gateway got its name from Ceres being seen as a "gateway" to the outer solar system, which in turn was inspired by an ancient Nasa poster.

Spaceports

Dawn Spaceport: The main spaceport for the city of Dawn, mainly used by Ceresians and other Belt Colony residents. Mining materials from elsewhere in the asteroid belt are delivered here for usage.

Gateway Spaceport: The primary spaceport for off-world visitors and interplanetary affairs, Gateway's spaceport is a busy yet welcoming area. Commercial shuttle services can be accessed from here, allowing travel to other settlements on Ceres, as well as sightseeing tours of the dwarf planet's natural features.

Connected to the spaceport is a large refuelling station operated by C-corp, fit for almost any type of ship. Tram services link the spaceport to the city centre as well as several hotels/accommodations for travellers.