Deimos: Sol IVb

Maintenance*This article is requires maintenance. It is likely information in this page is incomplete, requires reformatting or may not be entirely correct. You can help the Alexandria Citadel by speaking to a citadel administrator, and making the corrections necessary..*

## Overview

Deimos, the smaller of Mars's two moons, is an integral part of the Federated Planets of Earth's (FPE) interplanetary framework in the 23rd century. Despite its diminutive size, with a mean radius of just 6 kilometers, Deimos plays an important role in Martian infrastructure and research. The moon is home to around 500,000 inhabitants, with the majority living in the capital and primary settlement, Swift City.

## Astrophysical Features

Deimos is a lumpy, irregular body, marked by craters and a generally smooth surface caused by a layer of fine dust. The moon has a very thin atmosphere and orbits Mars at a greater distance than its larger counterpart, Phobos. Its most prominent feature is the Swift Crater, named after Jonathan Swift, who eerily predicted the presence of two Martian moons more than a century before their discovery.

## History

The history of Deimos in the 23rd century is intimately tied to the expansion of humanity's reach beyond Earth. The first manned mission to Deimos took place in 2057, conducted by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the European Space Agency (ESA).

The Swift Outpost was established in 2105 as a research and observation platform, playing a vital role in the terraforming process on Mars. Over the next century, the outpost grew and evolved into Swift City, a self-sustaining settlement and a center of scientific innovation.

In 2186, the Brahe Quantum Telescope was erected, utilizing the low-light pollution and strategic location of Deimos to observe distant celestial bodies and phenomena. This facility has since become one of the primary windows through which humanity explores the wider universe, second only to the Seager Observatory Complex on Pluto.

## Culture

The culture of Deimos is shaped by its unique position in the solar system. Its inhabitants, colloquially known as "Deimonians", are pioneers at heart. They have forged a unique society in the challenging environment of the small moon, blending various Earth traditions with new customs born from their unique circumstances.

## Governance

Deimos is governed as a territory of the Republic of Mars, with local affairs managed by the Deimos Administrative Council. The moon also has a representative in the Republic of Mars, ensuring its interests are adequately represented within the Martian governance structure.

## Economy

The economy of Deimos is primarily centered around research and observation related to the broader cosmos. The Brahe Quantum Telescope and related industries form the backbone of the Deimonian economy. Ancillary sectors such as logistics, services for research personnel, and limited tourism also contribute to its economic landscape.

Despite its small size and remote location, Deimos has become an essential part of the human interplanetary endeavor. As a research hub, an observation point, and a unique cultural microcosm, Deimos stands as a testament to humanity's relentless drive to explore and inhabit space.