drastic measures. The international orbital elevator plan is announced. The elevator will create a
permanent link between an orbiting space station and the surface of the earth, making the
transportation of people and material into space far more efficient. 2020 The reinvigoration of space exploration results in the construction of the first permanent base on the moon. 2027 The anchor satellite for the orbital elevator is completed, and construction of the elevator itself
continues apace. 2040 An unmanned explorer probe discovers a mysterious plain on the Jovian satellite Callisto. This is later
found to be the source of the material known as "Metatron." 2045 The orbital elevator is completed. Colonization and mining on the lunar surface rapidly increase - this is
considered the beginning of the real space age. The first-generation LEV, or Laborious Extra-Orbital
Vehicle, is completed, a manned robot that prefigures the later orbital frame. 2048 Construction of space colonies at Earth's L4 and L5 points begins. 2052 Nuclear fusion generators become a viable source of power, leading to rapid advances in all areas of human
endeavor. The first manned bases and terraforming stations on Mars are constructed. 2063 Fossil fuels become a thing of the past, eclipsed by fusion power. The United Nations turns its attention
towards development in the Jovian sphere. 2068 LEV technology develops rapidly, playing a key role in development of the L4/L5 space colonies. 2073 The construction of permanent bases on the Martian satellites Phobos and Deimos begins. 2081 The discovery of the powerful substance known as "Metatron" in ore veins on Callisto leads to rapid
advancement in electronics. In particular, LEV technology moves forward by leaps and bounds. 2093 Metatron's ability to compress space, allowing for high-speed space travel, is discovered. 2104 The space catapult system, employing Metatron's space compression capability to launch craft across the
solar system, is perfected and put into practical use. 2111 Construction of the Antilia space colony at Europa's L5 point begins (Europa is one of the moons of Jupiter). 2130 Development on the moon's surface declines, while the
completion of major milestones in terraforming results in the rapid acceleration of emigration to Mars. 2135 One of the Martian colonies is struck by a dangerous bacterial infection. A quarantine line is enforced
between Mars and Earth. 2145 A space catapult is installed on the base at Deimos, creating a revolution in travel around the solar
system. Another rush of emigrants to Mars occurs. The "county" system is implemented, wherein
each member of the UN administers its own corresponding
colony on Mars. 2157 Tensions between the Earth and the Mars colonists deepen after incidents of territorial violation by
national forces on Mars. There is an increasing separation of identity between the "Enders," or
colonists, and their antecedents on the home planet. 2158 The Bahran militia group is secretly founded on Mars. Back home, the NUT corporation develops the first
orbital frame technology, employing new Metatron-derived substances and the basic LEV design. 2167 The Deimos Incident. Bahran terrorists use a stolen orbital frame to attack officers of the United Nations
Space Force at the Deimos installation. Tensions between Earth and Mars rise to a boiling point, and
the existence of the orbital frame technology is about to become public. 2172 In response to continuing revolutionary action by Bahran and other Ender organizations, the United
Nations army occupies the Antilia colony. And the events of Z.O.E. begin...
