Lore surrounding the Celestial Objects of the Pyxis System, courtesy of Ladell Surveyors Ltd.
Disclaimer: Ladell Surveyors Ltd. information is from release for December 2110. Ladell Surveyors Ltd is not responsible for incorrect information.
Tisiphone
Classification - Brown Dwarf / Gas Giant
Natural Satellite(s) - Styx
Orbital Inclination - .2 Degrees
Orbital Period - 66 Days
Axial Tilt - .00012
Gravity - 2.9g
Tisiphone is the closest planet to Alecto and Megaera. A brown dwarf, research has shown that it has already burned through it’s supply of deuterium and is in the process of cooling rapidly. Composed of mostly hydrogen and helium, Tisiphone is an excellent spot for hydrogen and helium upwelling for use in fusion reactors. However, being this close to Alecto and Megaera does induce a high risk of being exposed to lethal amounts of radiation and those traveling to Tisiphone should be aware of such risks.
Asphodel
Classification - Terrestrial Planet
Natural Satellite(s) - Cocytus, Lethe, Veles, Rod
Orbital Inclination - 0.12 Degrees
Orbital Period - 237 Days
Axial Tilt - 11-45 degrees
Gravity - 1.1g (1.0g in atmosphere)
Asphodel is the second planet in solar order. In the past, people thought that Asphodel was just like Elysium with water and a breathable atmosphere. Probes in the 20th century dispelled this myth, with most being crushed by the high pressure of Asphodel’s lower atmosphere. In Asphodel’s upper atmosphere however, probes discovered it was nearly the same as Elysiums troposphere. Now, Asphodel is home to numerous floating cities anchored to the ground. Surface expeditions do occur regularly, often repairing the numerous heavy duty wind power stations on the surface. Those travelling to Asphodel should be aware of the high pressure. Radiation isn’t a concern here, as Asphodel’s heavy atmosphere shields even the highest of floating cities.
Elysium
Classification - Terrestrial Planet
Natural Satellite(s) - Selene
Orbital Inclination - 0 Degrees
Orbital Period - 365 Days
Axial Tilt - 12-35 degrees
Gravity - 1g
Third in solar order, Elysium is the birthplace of humankind. Life as we know it originates here. Elysium is a water rich world, being one of a few in Pyxis to harbor liquid water and have an oxygen rich atmosphere. It has one moon, Selene, which is currently in the process of being terraformed. Low and medium orbit of Elysium is an active no fly zone as of current, due to Kesseler Syndrome making spaceflight into and out of nearly impossible. Cleanup efforts have proved so far unsuccessful.
Thanatos
Classification - Gas Giant
Natural Satellite(s) - Upwards of 135
Orbital Inclination - 0 Degrees
Orbital Period - 6.8 Elysium Years / 2482 Days
Axial Tilt - 12-35 degrees
Gravity - 2.29g
Fourth in celestial order, Thanatos is the Shepard of the Tarturus belt. Composed of a Hydrogen and Helium atmosphere and its relative location make it a good spot for new miners looking for a spot to upwell. Colonies are present in its Lagrange points, most are independent fiefdoms that are in the process of fighting each other.
Keres
Classification - Terrestrial Planet
Natural Satellite(s) - Thetis, Leucothea, Ceto
Orbital Inclination - 0 Degrees
Orbital Period - 8 Elysium Years / 2922 Days
Axial Tilt - 5 degrees
Gravity - 1.12g
Keres is the fifth planet in celestial order. Slightly larger than Elysium, it’s composed of mostly free flowing oceans underneath thick ice sheets with little atmosphere (mostly being carbon dioxide). Keres is the only planet with known non-human life, mostly basic bacteria and viruses. Seismic scanners located on the surface have found localized tremors with no apparent cause, with conspiracy theorists claiming that massive worms exist below the ice sheets. During the Period of Colonization, Keres was avoided to prevent contamination of Keres’ newfound life. However since 2110, a splinter of the Tempest Securities Corporation has made a base on the southern pole.