Europa (moon)

## Europa • Jupiter II

**Europa**, also known as *Jupiter II*, is the sixth-largest moon in the Sol system. Outward from Jupiter, it is the sixth satellite in the gas giant's orbit. It is one of the Galilean moons, the first group of objects discovered orbiting another planet as discovered by Galileo Galilei.

Europa has a very thin atmosphere, composed primarily of oxygen. It also has the smoothest surface of any known solid object in the system, as a result of the water ocean that exists beneath its surface, which is a subject of study as it could conceivably harbour extra-terrestrial life. The predominant model suggests that heat from tidal flexing causes this ocean to remain liquid and drives ice movement similar to plate tectonics, absorbing chemicals from the surface into the ocean below.

The ready availability of water on Europa makes it a convenient location for extracting water, a commodity in the outer planets, and transferring it to the other various parts of the system that need it, such as stations in the Belt or the terraforming project on Mars. Aside from water extraction plants, the moon also boasts a number of agricultural and research facilities.

## History

Following the invention of the Exo Drive, humanity spread quickly to the Belt and outer planets. Europa and the other moons of Jupiter were of the first natural bodies to be settled by humanity in the farther reaches of the system. Bases on Europa largely began as water extraction stations, but quickly expanded to cater for agricultural demand in 2269, following the successful construction and application of the larger domes on Ganymede.

In 2272, the famous Exoscience founder, Alton Silver, began construction of an orbital station near the moon to house the more secretive projects of the company away from the prying eyes and ears of Earth. He would spend most of his time here in the later parts of his life.

## Geography

Europa has multiple stations rather than just one, due to the nature of the economy there and the requirement to extract water and harness renewable energy from the cryogeysers that occasionally spout around the poles. The main station houses the docks and agricultural zones, and is connected by high-speed rails to various other extraction points and power plants around the surface.

### Notable Locations

* **Europa Agrizone:** A number of agricultural domes mimicking the ones on Ganymede. Though less productive, the domes are nonetheless vital for the continued supply of food in the outer planets.
* **Asterius Cryoplants**: A series of mobile, automated power stations that harness renewable energy from cryogeysers at the poles and provide power to other stations in the Jovian system.
* **Clarity Station:** Belonging to Exoscience, the Earth-based megacorporation, this low orbit space station houses an impressive orbital construction platform and facilities for more advanced and potentially dangerous research. It connects directly to a launch and deep storage facility on the surface called **Clarity Ground Control**, which is separate from the other stations on the moon and under high security.

## Society

The vast majority of the populace on Europa are Belters, although unlike the majority of Belters these have grown with the constant presence of gravity and ground underfoot. Most Belters here work in the mining stations or the agricultural domes, and a few are researchers in the scattered laboratories alongside scientists from Earth and Mars.