Editing Terra Nova (section)

==History==
By 2069, Humans had already established themselves within their own solar system, having founded New Berlin on the [[Luna|Moon]], Utopia Planitia on [[Mars]], and a few [[asteroid]] bases. Deep space became the next frontier for the species, and the question began to be asked: "Could Humans colonize deep space?" 

Terra Nova was discovered in the late 21st century by astronomers likely working for the United Earth Space Probe Agency. Due to its proximity to Earth, the decision was made to establish a colony on the [[planet]]. The success of such a colony was considered uncertain from the start, and the expedition became known as "the Great Experiment". 

 
[[Rank|Captain]] Mitchell was selected to lead the expedition. Nearly two hundred colonists, made up of specialists and families, would be selected to join him on this mission. 

The journey to Terra Nova from Earth would take nine years at the warp speeds attainable in that period. The SS Conestoga was commissioned for the task, and was specially constructed so that it could be dismantled on arrival to serve as homes and service buildings for the colony. 

 
The Conestoga arrived at her destination on June 23, 2078. Captain Mitchell oversaw the groundbreaking for the colony shortly thereafter. The very first transmissions from the colony were broadcast worldwide on Earth, and the population watched entranced as Humanity made its first claim on the cosmos. 

The colony proved to be amazingly successful, a fully-functioning community on a world in deep space. After five years, UESPA grew interested in repeating the experience. Working from the position that "nothing succeeds like success," the heads of the Space Agency announced their intentions to launch a second ship full of colonists to Terra Nova. 

The colonists already living on Terra Nova were not amenable to the idea of now having to share the home they'd struggled to build. An organized opposition arose, led by a man named Mark Logan. By 2081, relations with Earth became severely strained, culminating with Logan's transmitting threats of violence upon any ships that entered the planet's orbit. 

Tragically, that was the last message received from Terra Nova. Earth lost contact with the colony shortly thereafter. The Space Agency decided that it didn't have the resources to launch an investigation, and it was decided that the fate of the Terra Nova colony would have to remain a mystery. (ENT: "Terra Nova")