2100: Average human lifespan ~100, 85 year old adults are as physically capable as 65 year olds in 2000
2114-2133: DarkSide telescope array on Luna identifies numerous extrasolar planets and satellites-of-planets with signs of liquid water and possibly life, including moon of a planet orbiting red dwarf star Gliese 876
2101-2151: Habitations founded on numerous moons of Jupiter and Saturn
2137: Population of Luna votes to continue ties to Earth, population of Mars votes for complete, amicable independence
2138: Martian Declaration of Independence signed and delivered to Earth, Earth leaders promise objective and respectful response
2138-2139: Evidence found of weapons provided by Earth to anti-independence forces on Mars, Martian Civil War fought between pro- and anti-Independence forces, ~400 casualties, Independence forces victorious, major political scandal on Earth ends the careers of numerous politicians including President of the Union of Earth, new administration apologizes to the newly independent Mars
2141: Society for a New Humanity (SNH) founded on Ceres, advocating a “clean start” for humanity free from the influence and bloody history of Earth
2139-2153: DarkSide array verifies evidence of photosynthesis on dozens of extrasolar bodies, including a moon (named Samwise) of the gas giant planet Gliese 876c (now called Abhoth)
2161: Luna declares independence from Earth and separates peacefully
2171: Forwood drive invented — the first propulsion technology that would enable space travel to other star systems within a human lifetime
2178: Direct imaging by DarkSide array shows oceans as well as indigo-colored vegetation blanketing continents on moon of Gliese 876c called Samwise
2184: SNH draws up plans for colony ship to Samwise
2191: SNH begins construction of colony ship, ostensibly as a large, mobile, free-floating habitat, called Aotea, in the asteroid belt
2200: Off-Earth population ~50K on Luna, ~5M on Mars, ~200K on Mercury, ~500K elsewhere; most celestial bodies and free-floating habitations with more than a few thousand inhabitants are self-governing
2200: Average human lifespan ~120, natural limit appears to be ~150 years; with cloned organ replacements and other therapies, the very wealthy may live past 200, staying fit and active for most of their lives.
2202: SNH makes public colony plans for Samwise, to be funded by many sources including by volunteer colonists as well as volunteer genetic donors; they receive a very large response
2211: First “colonists” take residence on Aotea, construction and funding continue
2221: First baby born on Aotea
2237: Aotea departs for Samwise; ETA ~2292
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thanks to everyone who encouraged me and gave me feedback while I was writing Spindown. In particular, thanks to Jefferson, Ben, and my parents. Special thanks to Jay for his boundless patience and weeks of hard work on edits and general feedback – this book would be very different, and much lesser in quality, without him. And most of all, thanks and love to my wife, Nina, for her endless love and encouragement.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Andy Crawford grew up in New Orleans. After graduating from Louisiana State University, he served in the Navy as a submarine junior officer. Upon leaving active duty, he began working for the Navy as a civilian. Andy lives in Arlington, Virginia, with his wife Nina.
OTHER TITLES BY ANDY CRAWFORD
Sailor of the Skysea
The Pen is Mightier
Untethered (short story, available online for free at Solarpunk Press)
NOTE TO READERS
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