2004-2005

The International Space Station goes online and various Earth space agencies (notably the Russians and Americans) begin sending crews for tours of duty on a regular basis.

2008

May --GigaCorp is founded by Emmet Longstreet (who claims to be a descendant of James "Pete" Longstreet, a Confederate general who served under General Robert E. Lee during the American Civil War). GigaCorp sprang into being in a series of somewhat shady business dealings -- proxy fights, hostile takeovers, and even alleged assaults (though this has never been proven). Longstreet managed to gain a controlling interest in several key aerospace companies (as well as several hydroponics, fuel production, engineering, computer, and heavy manufacturing operations). GigaCorp's primary focus since its inception has been the conquest and commercialization of near-Earth space.

2010-2020

A series of breakthroughs in medicine, engineering, and science illustrate the commercial value of near-Earth space in concrete terms. For the first time since the original moonshot, there is widespread interest in developing resources in space.

2021-2027

Emmet Longstreet begins assembling teams of scientists and engineers, preparing an ambitious space program.

2030

As a result of the demonstrable benefits to be reaped in space, major corporations -- and many governments -- from across the globe begin subsidizing space operations and mounting their own extraterrestrial missions. From 2009 to 2016, no fewer than 30 space stations are put into orbit; most stations house a military presence of some type (either heavily armed, well-trained corporate security forces or soldiers from the station's host country). Estimated off-planet population is roughly 15,000-20,000. Of the 30 stations, 10 are owned by GigaCorp.

2031

June -- The United Nations begins debate on a series of laws and guidelines for commercial and military use of space.

December --Since many nations have started to launch their own space missions, the debate is heated and, by the end of the year, has degenerated into rhetoric and posturing, with little end in sight.

2033

February --The ALEXANDER Project is initiated. The project is a genetic experimentation program designed to develop humans better suited to operating in an orbital environment. The project -- sponsored by GeneFlex, a subsidiary of GigaCorp -- is, at first, secret, as cloning and genetic experimentation have been outlawed on Earth.

ALEXANDER (one of Longstreet's pet projects) is designed to produce humans better-suited to life -- and commercial activities -- in space; the early ALEXANDER "prototypes" involved the creation of humans with faster reflexes, better eyesight, better adjustment to zero-g environments, and so on. Longstreet privately influences the test subjects' thought patterns, hoping to create fiercely loyal "Praetorian Guards." As a result, early ALEXANDER subjects ("Bios") view Longstreet as a father figure/messiah.

December --Early experiments are quite successful, and GeneFlex begins scaling up "production" of "enhanced" humans.

2034

June --GigaCorp Colony M1 founded on Mars. The M1 colony is an experimental terraforming project. Population of M1: 1,200 colonists (800 scientific/technical, 200 clerical/service, 200 military/security).

August --As the Mars colony goes online, progress in the ongoing debate at the United Nations begins to move ahead. A preliminary draft of the UN Space Charter is presented.

2035

January --Additional colonization of Mars begins. Predominantly sponsored by governments, the installations are largely scientific in nature.

July --Early corporate terraforming/hydroponics experiments successful. Martian colonies begin developing domed agricombines for the production of export foodstuffs.

December --Estimated Martian population is now around 12,000.