Lunar Federation

> "*I solemnly swear to devote my life and ability to the service of the Federal Republic of Luna. To protect the Constitution, to uphold the Law and to defend the Republic from all threats, from the dust of Luna, to the stars above, for as long as I may live.*"
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> —Oath of allegiance to the Federal Republic of Luna

## Governmental Information

### Type

Federal Republic
Parliamentary Democracy

## Social Information

### Language

61% English
17% Chinese
7% German
6% Russian
5% French
3% Hindi
1% Other

### Religion

51% Christianity
39% Irreligion
4.2% Islam
3.9% Hinduism
4% Other

### Ethnic groups

55% White
16% East Asian
11% Black
9% Mixed
5% West Asian
3% South Asian
1% Other

## Economic Information

### Currency

New Lunar Dollar (Ł)

The Lunar Federation, officially The Federal Republic of Luna is a country located on Sol IIIa (commonly known as Luna). It is the second-most populated world outside of Earth, and is the 8th-largest nation in the Intersolar Assembly. With Luna's status as a planet-spanning nation, it has no neighbouring countries by land - although it is orbitally bound to Earth and plays host to a number of foreign-owned spaceports and shipyards.

Luna has been orbiting Earth for over 4 billion years, and has played a major role in culturally influencing early humans. Luna is recognized as the first planet outside of Earth to be colonized by humankind, and has hosted permanent human settlement since 2024. After settlement, Luna played a major role in shipbuilding, mining of rare resources and providing easy transport to Mars and the outer solar system for Earth-based nations and companies which controlled the planet. During the 2060s, a new generation of youth born on Luna - especially Americans - began to promote anti-Earth culture and advocated for independence; although they remained as a distinct minority, especially with the overreaching influence of corporations over the colony.

Widespread support for independence came during the Third World War, where intensive resource extraction from all colonial nations caused disenfranchising from Earth, and the increasing demands for resources coupled with a large military presence and reduced pay caused unrest and strife. In April 2052, mass-riots took place across all major colonies, seizing communication centres, administrative hubs, spaceports and environmental controls, effectively taking control over the planet, and a provisional Lunar government was rapidly assembled. Upon the conclusion of the war, Luna officially secured its independence in the ensuing treaty.

Over the 2060s, Luna transitioned into a federal parliamentary republic, and solidified its independence by financially linking itself with Earth companies via a number of powerful state-influenced companies. Over time, Luna became one of the largest economies in the Solar System, due to its large export economy, especially that of Helium-3 and other valuable mineral resources. As of 2150, Luna remains one of the most prominent powers in the Sol System, is a recognised nuclear state, and owns one of the most advanced fleets in the system, being the inventor of most fusion-based technologies. It is also a permanent member of the International Security Council in the Intersolar Assembly

## History

### Pre-Unification

Lunar history begins in 2024 with the Artemis settlement program, and its many counterpart operations that would establish small, yet permanent scientific outposts on the lunar surface. Proposals for civilian settlement were first proposed, yet remained as a distant future project. However, in 2027, the ESA welcomed 2 wealthy patrons into their outpost - Selene Station - where they spent 6 months. Soon, with private funding, the ESA established the first dome city and spaceport under the same name. Private companies were quick to exploit this new lunar infrastructure, especially research and mining companies interested in the exploitation of abundant lunar resources.

Other spacefaring nations were quick to realise the economic potential, with first-generation fusion energy appearing in many first world nations, and began settlement projects as well. Lunar tourism peaked, with moon travel becoming relatively affordable for the upper-middle class. In this time, the lunar population skyrocketed, with thousands settling. In 2039, the first Lunar child was born, and raised in a specially designed hospital to compensate for the low gravity. Luna was a key springboard to further expansion across Sol - mass drivers on the surface of Luna flung exploration spacecraft to Mars, the Asteroid Belt and the Jovian Moons

In 2040, the UN reorganised the Outer Space Treaty to allow nations and corporations to claim and exploit large sections of the moon, much to the contempt of settlers, many of whom believed their home was being exploited for profit. In protest, several domestic mining companies were founded, and began to extract resources for the benefit of the colonies, thus founding a Lunar-primacy corporate culture, which would play a key part of Luna's future identity.

As fusion power reformed global energy, lunar expansion sped up further, the population swelling into the millions, and dozens of cities being rapidly established across the surface. During this time, some began to resent the power Earth had over Luna - although Luna still relied heavily on imports of necessities from Earth, such as food, medicine and even water in some cases. However, the radicals argued that Luna potentially had a monopoly on energy generation to exploit for any resource they desired, and that going independent would allow them to exploit that potential to its fullest. Thus, the first major groups advocating for Lunar independence were formed, the most famous being *Silver Dawn, Zìyóu Yuè Shén* and the *LNP.*

Although those who advocated for Lunar independence were few in number, circumstances in the 2050s would propel those movements into the limelight.

### World War Three

With the outbreak of hostilities between the People's Republic of China and United States in 2051, Luna was poised to be a center of hostilities between the two vying superpowers, with the helium-3 abundant on its surface vital in powering the war effort. Actual hostilities on the lunar surface proved to be a logistical challenge owing to the lack of space based weaponry and inexperience of armies fighting outside of Earth. Therefore, for the initial months of the war, both sides merely instituted a blockade between their two respective territories; cutting off financial, transport and business links. Due to the interconnected nature of Lunar commerce, this action put strain on many of the large dome cities to provide their citizens with both basic resources and luxuries - Russian domes being clustered around the South Pole providing much of the water produced domestically; and American cities circling the equator providing most electrical generation. As such, both nations had to strictly restrict citizen access to those basic resources, which significantly harmed the quality of life Lunar citizens had.

As the war expanded in its scope, the need for Helium-3 drove the nations of Earth to squeeze Luna for more resources, increasing work shifts and reducing pay owing to emergency wartime measures. With the harsh environment of Luna, this increased equipment breakdown rates, and caused a number of fatal accidents with reduced standards of safety being imposed. With both these factors at play, even well-off Lunar citizens were brought to near-poverty, many common citizens falling below the bread line. With the falling standards of living, many disenfranchised Lunar citizens turned towards the independence movements to find solace.

Mass protests took place in cities across the Lunar surface, advocating for the withdrawal of Earth companies and administrators. Using underground communication networks to communicate across front lines, nationalist groups coordinated protest actions and resistance activities. The pivotal moment in these 18 months of near-constant protest came on October 28th, 2052 when security forces belonging to Graywater Mining opened fire on protesters in the small mining outpost of Epsilon-2, killing over 2 dozen protesters. Although this action was officially condemned by the US government, little action was taken against the perpetrators, turning anger over worsening living conditions into fury against Earth. People flocked to the independence movements in the hundreds of thousands, and only 3 months after the Epsilon-2 massacre, a coordinated mass riot took place in dozens of cities across Luna, seizing control of transport networks, administrative offices, communication centres, and most importantly, the spaceports.

With imports from Luna effectively cut off, Earth nations reliant on fusion power faced massive energy deficits, and the Third World War was reduced to a stalemate, both sides distracted with keeping domestic affairs in order. In the 8 months following the Lunar revolt, Europe, Russia and the US were gripped with anti-war protests. Russia was the worst effected, its heavy reliance on fusion causing rolling blackouts across the nation. Independence movements quickly fostered, with many declaring de-jure independence during the blackout. With Luna's leverage over Earth's energy proven, they were able to quickly get both warring parties to the negotiating table. In Zurich, the Provisional Government of Luna was able to negotiate for independence, and brought peace between the warring factions. On November 31st 2053, The Federal Republic of Luna was formally established.

### Post-War Luna

Relations between Earth and Luna were extremely icy for the first years of its existence - the Lunar Dollar was an incredibly weak currency on international markets, only holding value for goods within Luna itself. Trade with Earth was usually done via barter - Helium-3 being exported for material goods from Earth, usually food, organics and high-tech goods. However, throughout the 2050s, Lunar banks slowly accrued a supply of foreign to back its own fledgling currency. It also managed to secure many agreements with private firms on Earth to import Lunar goods in exchange for backing Lunar financial institutions. In 2059, Luna abandoned its old Lunar Dollar, and instituted the New Lunar Dollar, which held at par with the US dollar, and quickly became another reserve currency used in banks across the world.

An additional risk was that of Earth corporations returning to Luna to continue their old Earth-primacy policies. The Lunar government, having the foresight to avoid this outcome, instead subsidized the largest domestic Lunar corporations, supplying them materially with seized mining equipment and transport craft, and financially secured them from buyouts and bankruptcy. Due to this, companies became extremely influential in the Lunar parliament, and in a constitutional amendment passed by the pro-business Lunar Chancellor, David Wu, allowed the 5 biggest major companies to hold a seat each in the Lunar Senate

### Martian Troubles

Throughout the 2040s, Mars also experienced heavy colonization from spacefaring nations, seeking to migrate heavy industry to the red planet to alleviate the ecological strain on Earth. However, by the time of Lunar independence, Mars had already been fully claimed by Earth nations. This greatly frustrated Lunar expansion efforts, although their tenuous position geopolitically did not allow them to press any serious claim. Instead, Luna chose to gradually foster Martian resentment towards Earth. An inciting incident towards this began with a large influx of Earth refugees, mainly consisting of the wealthy fleeing the devastation of the war. This created a serious wealth disparity and tension between the naturalised Martians and recent migrants.

An additional cause of tension was caused by the increased demand for raw resources by Earth nations, having to now compensate for the loss of the Lunar colonies. This caused further tension, as the majority of the work was done by naturalised Martians. Luna, seeking to exploit this potential opening into Martian markets, chose to foster this anti-Earth sentiment and encouraged a libertarian culture that would be compatible with Luna's own. However, this fostering caused the situation on Mars to spiral out of control. Civilian groups began to arm themselves against Earth security forces, and began a protracted guerrilla campaign known as the Martian Troubles.

During this period, Luna sought to exploit Earth's need for warships and weaponry, which resulted in a number of shipbuilding conglomerates receiving massive subsidies for improving Luna's industrial capabilities. During this time, Williams-Smith shipyards were brought into full operation. Officially, Luna condemned the actions of the Free Martian Army and Martian Liberation Front, although, investigations by intelligence agencies of Earth have suggested some degree of coercive activity by Lunar black-ops companies. Luna officially denies supplying rebel forces with weaponry. With the declaration of independence of the Martian Confederacy, Luna was one of the first to open diplomatic channels with them, and quickly solidified an alliance which the future Solar Tripartite would be founded from.

### Jovian Wars

Luna would also involve itself in fueling the various factions involved in the Jovian Wars, mostly in the Second Jovian War, directly selling fusion-based warships and weaponry to involved parties, while also covertly funding pro-independence factions, supplying them with weapons and allegedly directly deploying forces to attack US and UEF bases both on the ground and in orbit. Recent intelligence has indicated that Luna had an ulterior motive in funding pro-independence factions, which was to destroy experimental Helium-3 extractors in low Jupiter orbit. It also indebted the newly independent moons to Luna, allowing it to wield political influence over them, and further secure its sole monopoly on Helium-3.

Luna was also a direct belligerent in the Third Jovian War, fighting against both the UEF and US with its allies of Mars and the independent Jovian Moons. While the Intersolar Assembly limited hostile action to within the gravity well of Jupiter, Luna was rumored to be funding terrorist and pirate groups both on Earth and in space. During the Third Jovian War, the Lunar Navy mainly focused on disrupting US and UEF civilian and logistics operations in the Jovian system. Due to the relative inexperience of all belligerents in fighting in space, only one direct naval engagement took place - the Battle of Io, which resulted in a narrow Luna-Mars-Jovian victory, and is considered to be the end of the conflict, as the UEF and US retreated from the Jovian system mere days later.

In the aftermath of the conflict, Luna quickly resumed its business relations with the US and UEF, although the war did reveal an obvious divide between the affairs of space-based nations and Earth nations. However, Luna was able to successfully maintain its sole monopoly on Helium-3, and thus control the energy supply of the entire solar system.

### FTL Discovery

In 2147, Dr Andriy Dunajski invented the prototype wormhole drive, and tested a jump between Luna and Mars. However, the test resulted in catastrophe as the artificial Einstein-Rosen bridge rapidly collapsed, resulting in a 200 megaton explosion in Lunar and Martian orbit simultaneously. Despite the catastrophe, development continued on the wormhole drive, and by the mid-2150s, the drive was perfected, and Luna began the first expeditions outside the Solar System.

Luna intended to keep the technology under tight restrictions in order to exploit their favorable position to lay claim to much extrasolar territory, and their military was rapidly supplemented with jump ships to allow the Lunar navy to explore the vast new frontier. However, Luna was unable to keep the technology secret for long - the movements of Lunar ships towards the outer solar system combined with early technical failures of the wormhole drive drew attention to it, especially in the multipolar cold war which gripped the Solar System. Under diplomatic pressure from the other superpowers, Luna was forced to release the technology internationally. In those few months of FTL monopoly, Luna was able to lay *de jure* claim to dozens of planetary bodies, and secured their claims with the deployment of automatic railgun emplacements in orbit of these new worlds.

## Government & Politics

### Lunar Senate

The Lunar Senate is the central body of legislating Lunar law. It is made up of 945 seats, with one seat for approximately 241,000 citizens. 5 other seats are reserved for major corporations. The 945 "regular" seats are elected every 5 years in a proportional representation system, and the 5 "corporate" seats are held by officials appointed by the 5 largest companies. The Senate holds several major parties which dictate domestic polity.

#### Political Parties

* New Liberal Party - Centre-right, pro-business party. Is one of the main parties in the senate, and advocates for business expansion and a highly free market
* Corporate Union Party - Party made up of extremely pro-business candidates, including all 5 corporate seats. Advocates for less government intervention in business, and economic expansion on Earth and elsewhere in the solar system. Often in a coalition with the New Liberal Party
* Christian Democratic Union Party - Centrist party, advocating for keeping the status quo of limited economic intervention
* Labor Party - Centre-left minority party in the senate. Advocates for increased welfare and public services while adhering to traditional social values

### Administrative divisions

   Luna contains 6 main administrative divisions, roughly approximating to the former colonial districts of Earth. These 6 provinces each maintain a distinct identity compared to the rest - a biproduct of the years of separation between them, and the distinct cultural differences between the groups present. Every city present in the province elects a number of city councillors, who elect an administrator from among them, who in turn sits on a province-wide council of administrator. Finally, the provincial council elects a governor, who is confirmed in their appointment by the Chancellor.

#### Lunar Provinces

* Tranquillity - Capital province & home to the first lunar settlements
* Chang'e - Primarily settled by those of Chinese descent, famed for its cuisine & nightlife
* Südmond - German/Northern European settled region, primary area for shipbuilding and industrial activity
* Plato -
* Novaya Volga -
* Farside - Most recently colonised sector of Luna, settled post-independence. Contains a diverse array of groups, although it has not fallen into an economic niche of its own yet

### Law & Justice

The Lunar Federation contains several distinct legal systems, each based on the legal systems of their home governments. European Federal law is used for the basis of Plato and Südmond law. Anglo-American law provides the basis for the majority of the population, within Farside and Tranquillity, due to the Americans and British spearheading lunar colonization. Chinese law provides the basis of the Chang'e province, creating a very distinct code of laws. Although this has caused tension with the central government, it has provided a safe haven to many businesses, with tax incentives and generous local subsidies provided by the province. Finally, Novaya Moskva uses reformed Russian law from the post WW3 era, combined with elements from European federal law, a unique rejection from the harsh standards of life the government in Russia imposed on its lunar citizens.

The central document defining the legal status of Luna is the Constitution, a document detailing the separation of power into 2 branches - the legislative branch of the Senate, and legal branch of the Supreme Court and guaranteeing the liberty of all Lunar citizens. Broadly inspired by the US constitution, it encourages liberty, equality and free enterprise.

Managing the central legal framework is the Supreme Court of Luna, a body made up of 18 judges appointed from the provinces of Luna by the Chancellor. The Supreme Court is the final body for justice, although it cannot directly dictate laws to 4 of the 6 provinces - only Farside, Tranquillity and Lunar colony worlds receiving direct control from the Supreme Court. The Court is also responsible for implementing constitutional amendments proposed by the Senate, acting as a final legal ratification process.

### Foreign Relations

The Lunar Federation is a permanent member of the ISA's International Security Council. It is also a member of the ELEA, and shares a special relationship with several developing nations. Luna, unlike other great powers on Earth, does not participate in the partisan politics taking place on Earth, instead preferring to negotiate with secondary powers. However, Luna's monopoly on energy generation does give it a wide degree of influence in dictating solar politics.

### Military

The Federal Armed forces of Luna consists of 2 main branches: The Federal Navy Service (Consisting of the Federal Navy and Federal Marines) & Lunar Army. The Armed forces are managed by the Department of Defence, and controlled by the Defence Committee. Its commander-in-chief is the office of the Chancellor, to which members of the armed forces swear allegiance to. The Armed forces are charged with defending Luna and her territories across the system, and beyond. The Navy is especially prevalent in fulfilling the ISA's requirements for civilian ship escorts and pirate suppression. Naval bases and garrisons are maintained around Mars, Ganymede and Pallas.

#### Lunar Army

The ground forces of Luna are responsible for maintaining control of. Notably, it is a much smaller force compared to the manpower of the Navy, mostly used as a garrison on Lunar-controlled stations and colonies

#### Lunar Navy

The Armed forces of Luna are vital in maintaining its extensive trade network - although they are relatively few in number, it constitutes one of the most technically advanced forces in the Sol system. Currently, Luna maintains over 20 capital ships, including two aircraft carriers, and over 100 sub-capitals, with hundreds more light support craft and fighters.

Rolled in with the Lunar navy is its air force, which currently operates with the E-98 "Starjet" family of combat aircraft. It owns over 450 such craft, which defend Luna in low orbit and near the planetary surface.

#### Nuclear Weapons

Luna is a recognised nuclear power, and holds over 500 IPBMs, with many more intermediate-range and tactical nuclear weapons. Although many have questioned Luna's motives in holding such a large number of weapons, Luna abides by the no-first use policy and refrains from distributing any weapons outside of its borders.

## Economy

### Overview

The Lunar Federation is a mostly-unregulated market economy, with only a few essential services being government-run. Today, Luna is the 5th largest economy in the Sol system, the largest outside of Earth's atmosphere. The economy is managed by the Department of Finance, with a Finance minister appointed from among them to serve on the Chancellor's cabinet. The First Bank of Luna is the main body for the generation and distribution of financial resources to both privately owned and publicly run banks.

Luna has an extremely extraction and manufacturing based economy, relying on the mining and refining of lunar resources to keep the economy sustained. Currently, 47% of revenue is generated from Helium-3 related sources, both from direct mining as well as export tariffs on companies distributing it across the system.

Luna is a centre of manufacturing for several companies, especially in shipbuilding. Luna plays host to the largest shipyard in the solar system - Williams & Smiths Shipyard Complex, a complex partially owned by both private companies and the central government produces both civilian and military craft, including commissions for Earth-based navies. Williams-Smiths alone has a turnover of Ł250 billion, and the entire manufacturing sector accounts for 27% of revenue.

However, Luna is attempting to diversify its economy into the service sector. With widespread access to space travel, Luna is exploiting its unique position near Earth to attract tourism to domes holding natural beauty as well as historic sites on the Lunar surface, such as the Apollo landing sites.

Luna is unique among the great powers in its lack of outstanding national debt, with its abundant natural resources and liberal issuing of contracts to private companies. Luna is one of the most stable economies in the solar system, many viewing it as a secondary option to the US in providing a stable currency and banking system.

### Imports & Exports

Luna has a heavy export economy, relying on the mining and distribution of helium-3 to keep its economy stable. Unlike in prior decades, Luna no longer relies on straight bartering for necessary imports. Although helium-3 is still Luna's primary export, it also is a secondary supplier of water and complex hydrocarbons to the Belt. Lunar imports mainly originate from Earth, consisting of biological resources, phosphates and complex medicines

### Science & Technology

Luna is a major centre of research outside of Earth. Luna is also responsible for several major breakthroughs in energy technology. Much fusion-based technology has emerged from Luna, such as second-generation fusion generators, efficient recycling systems and has pioneered life support technology that has become standard across the outer planets. Luna is also a centre of astronomy, housing the largest telescope array in the solar system - the Hubble Array, part of the 1st Lunar university - able to observe extrasolar phenomena and research potential sites for colonization.

### Energy

In 2150, Luna is the 23rd largest consumer and 3rd largest producer of electricity. Luna is home to a number of energy conglomerates, including all major fusion power firms. Several key ones include the state-owned CFE and the private companies Crescent and Torch. Luna is one of the few nations in the Sol system to have complete energy independence, producing 100% of its energy from fusion power, and exporting the remainder. It is currently estimated that Luna contains 2,460,000 tonnes of Helium-3 remaining, enough to power human civilization for millennia.

## Geography

The capital world of the Lunar Federation, Luna itself, is an extreme environment outside of habitation domes. It is subject to extreme temperature swings ranging from 140°C to -171°C, a lack of any substantial atmosphere and is constantly bombarded with ionizing radiation. Luna also contains an abundant amount of fine dust, known as regolith. Although it is highly carcinogenic, the dust contains the valuable resource of Helium-3, used to power Luna's economy

Another major feature of Luna is the Maria, or *Seas*, remnants of molten lava lakes. On these relatively flat regions are the majority of Lunar cities built. Crater land outside of the Maria also house cities, although they are far less populated due to difficulty in accessing the area. This also means that the far side of the moon from Earth houses less people, with far less industrial development and infrastructure

Luna only has around 12% of Earth's gravity, making childbirth and upbringing difficult compared to that of Earth. To prevent devastating physiological effects, children are given drugs to improve bone and muscle development. Despite this, naturalborn Lunar citizens are on average 20% taller than Earth-born humans and are often unable to handle long durations at high gravity.

## Culture

### Tourism

Lunar tourist attractions mainly revolve around 20th century space age culture, including many replicas of the Apollo landers as well as many original moon rovers and probes, proudly hosted in museums across Luna. It also has preserved the original landing sites of the Apollo missions, the most famous of which being the Apollo 11 site, one of many UNESCO Solar preservation sites on the lunar surface.

An additional tourist site are the famous lunar domes themselves, able to allow an unrestricted view of the lunar surface, Earth, and deep space far better than those that can be seen on Earth itself. This has attracted many tourists seeking out the experience of living on the lunar surface, and the domes have been styled to appeal to Earther tourists, featuring diverse ecological environments replicating those of Earth, and metropolitan hubs of commerce and activity appealing to Earth tourists