Ganymede

Ganymede is the seventh of the 63 moons of Jupiter, and the largest of the four Jovian moons. It orbits the planet in roughly 7 days and its surface consists mostly of iron ore and water, in the form of ice.

Physical Properties

Mean Radius: .413 Earths

Surface Area: .171 Earths

Surface g: .146 g

Mean Surface Temp (K): 110

Surface Pressure: .7x10^-5 microbars

The magnetic field of Ganymede is highly erratic. It branches off from itself to be absorbed the magnetosphere of Jupiter. Only near the equator does the field behave in a reliable manner. It is the only moon with its own magnetosphere, reducing the need for radiation shielding at its surface.

Ices compose between 46-50% of the mass of Ganymede, and much of that is water ice.

History

Pre-Starcrash

Ganymede was chosen for its size and promixity to the asteroid belts and other moons of Jupiter for mining of raw materiels. It was one of the first moons colonized, founded in 2094, under the Ganymede Project. Ecologist Guy Dauphine, along with other scientists in various fields formed the project, attempting to use large, BioDome structures to colonize the surface of the moon en lieu of terraforming. The project was a success, with Dome 1 reaching completion in 2097. Through the use of the biodome structures, hydroponics, and an ample supply of water and raw material, the project was a complete success.

During the conflicts on Earth, in 2105, The Ganymede colony, now consisting of 4 huge biodome structures, declared its independence from any existing Earth government, becoming its own functioning Sovereign Nation. The colonists almost unanimously voted Dauphine President of the Colony for the time being, until everything was stablized.

By 2110, Ganymede was almost a fully functioning, self-contained colony that supported several eco-systems similar to Earth within each of its Biodomes. It was during this time, that the residents, along with the newly formed government, decided to change the government system to that of Constitutional Monarchy, because of their love for man responsible for their new home and his work, and ensuring that his family continued to watch out for the colony for generations to come. Guy Dauphine was made King, by a unanimous vote in the Parliament and the line of succession for the Dauphine Family was created.

Ganymede Now

Ganymede is an independent and neutral nation, not officially siding with and other factions of governments during the past conflicts(Namely, the AIC/Resistance war, or the previous AIC/SoE conflict), although they are willing to host negotiations between the parties on their world, as neutral abitrators. The colony itself consists of 12 Biodomes, covering about every type of eco-system, luxary resorts, mining installations, food and water production facilities, and contain offices of several large corporations.

Ganymede exists seperate of the standard Jupiter Starport, located on the opposite side of the moon. The colony itself has its own starports. One central starport, located near Dome 2 is the main transportation hub of the colony. Other domes have their own ports attached, depending on the function of the dome. Dome 1 has its own named port, Avalon, which is the offical dock of the Parliament, Royal House, and Ganymede's military. Transit between the Domes it achieved either by personal transport, or by a Rapid Mass Transit System.

Ganymede remains a Constitutional Monarchy, with day to day government decisions and lawmaking being handled by a 30 Member Parliament, and a Prime Minister, acting as the head of the Parliament. The Monarch of the colony signs the laws, and acts as the Head of State. The Monarch is not elected, instead following the line of succession, although an heir can be voted off the throne by Parliament under the Ganymede Constitution if he/she is determined by 70% vote to be unfit to rule.

The population of Ganymede is last estimated over 10 million people, slightly higher than 20th century New York City, although the population is spread out over a much wider area. The Parliament Members are voted on by the people, to represent certian areas, demographics, and other orginazations, so that everyone has a say in the governing of the nation.

Self Defense Structure

Ganymede contains its own military, and its own structure. The Ganymede Defense Force provides security for the Colony itself, both inside the domes and in the space lanes around it. The GDF recently extended its protection to the lanes around the Jupiter Starport, due to the increase in piracy and the lack of a central security force in the Solar System.

The Royal Guard of Ganymede is another branch, staying specifically within Dome 1(the Government Dome) and protecting the Parliament and Royal Palace. They are charged with the protection of Government members and the Royal House themselves.

The Ganymede Secret Service is an organization that exists in secret, falling under the RGG but with more leeway than the other two services. They provide secret, undercover protection of the Royals themselves, and protect the interests of the Crown, the Government, and the Nation itself. Its members are not known, as they all have ranks and officially exist within the RGG and GDF.

Currently, Princess Calynn Dauphine serves as the Commander in Chief of the Ganymede Military in total, with General Reilkan serving as the Commanding Officer of the GDF and Admiral Altrunis the CO of the RGG. The GSS exists in secret, so its members and commanders are unknown outside of a select few.

Line of Succession

Currently, the ruler of Ganymede is Queen Madelynn Dauphine, pending her confirmation as an heir to the throne by the Parliment. Princess Calynn Dapuhine was removed by a vote of no confidence, but can possibly return to the throne in the event Madelynn can no longer serve if Parliament reverses its vote. If the Monarch is unavailable, or not able to serve, Prime Minister Thomas Brisbane acts as the Head of State until a new heir is confirmed, or until the Monarch can return to his/her duties. There are currently no more direct blood heir's to the throne in the line after Queen Madelynn and Princess Calynn. Currently, the next in line to the throne would be through their Cousins.