Titan
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Titan is the sixth moon in orbit around Saturn, and the second largest moon in the Sol System. Unlike any other moon in the system, Titan has a dense, opaque atmosphere. It is also the only other stellar body besides Earth in the system that has large, stable bodies of water (actually hydrocarbons). Titan derives its name from Terran mythology. The Titans were the brothers and sisters of Cronos, the Greek equivalent of Saturn.
The moon became a much-studied topic during the early 21st Century, when it was found to have geological and atmospheric conditions similar to what Earth was theorized to have in it's infancy. Thus, it was one of the primary sites for colonization once mankind took to the stars. Titan's rocky surface also has water ice. It has the occasional impact crater, cryovolcanos, and several smaller mountain ranges. These indicate Titan is rather "young" as compared to other bodies in the Sol System. There are clouds, wind, and rain although the air is mostly nitrogen with some methane mixed in. The average surface temperature is 93.7 Kelvins.
By the mid-22nd Century, Titan was home to several small settlements---Shangri-La, Christopher's Landing, and New Milan---to name a few. Starfleet especially has a presence on the moon, with a training base for the Starfleet Corps of Engineers and a Starfleet Academy flight school. Titan is also part of the Sol System Defensive Perimeter, with both surface-based and orbital weapons platforms. Also orbiting the moon is the Huygens Array, one of the largest navigational guides in the quadrant.
Titan Locations
Christopher
Named after the first human to journey to Saturn, Captain John Christopher, Christopher is the older city on Titan, home to one million citizens. The city is a popular tourist destination, especially with the romantically inclined.
Titan Space Needle
This is the tallest building in the Christopher dome, towering one km over the skyline, and is a fine example of 22nd century off-world construction. Visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding city, as well as Saturn and its rings, from the observation deck. On the top floor, a rotating restaurant - named Retro - specializes in food popular on 20th century Earth.
Explorer's Hall
Dedicated to John Christopher, this museum presents exhibits with an exploration theme. It houses the finest collection of spacecraft, landing craft, and probes outside the Smithsonian Institute. Open daily, the museum offers guided tours and a holographic presentation on the history of exploration.
Wayfarer Base
Small groups of tourists walk through the site of Captain Christopher's landing on Titan. The atmosphere is suffused with reverence for Christopher's accomplishment, and loud talking is discouraged. The landing craft and base camp are open to the public daily for two hours, and are fine examples of primitive Earth landing craft.
Huygenstadt
Huygenstadt is the second-largest settlement on Titan, established in the late 21st century and home to more than a half-million colonists. The city is well known as a center for scientific study, particularly in the area of astronomy and astrochemistry. It is equally well known for the Huygenstadt Prize, awarded annually by the city council to a scientist who "embodies the quest for knowledge and scientific truth." The city is a popular destination for a variety of academic conferences, thanks to its extensive convention facilities.
Galileo Observatory
This is one of many observatories under the Federation Science Council's wing, and a center of astrometric study. In the public stellar cartography room, open evenings daily, you can direct the observatory's powerful orbital telescope to observe far-off celestial bodies - perhaps even your home planet.
Terran Academy of Sciences
Founded in 2150 by an act of the United Earth Government, it is today run as a satellite campus to the Daystrom Institute. Although tourists rarely visit the inside of this building, its great hall contains a gallery of holographic representations of history's finest scientists.
Reference(s)
- Isaacs, Ross A., et al. A Cadet's Guide to Sector 001, New York: Last Unicorn Games, 1999.