Commercial stations are the most common type of station. Commercial stations have no official military affiliation and are usually controlled by a governor elected from the companies based on that station. All civilian pilots can dock at these stations. Keep in mind that not all commercial stations are alike. Some allow goods that others may not, and not all parts and supplies are available on every station.
There are five military stations throughout the Solar System. The United Earth League controls three of them, while Mars has constructed two military stations of their own. These stations are accessible only to pilots in the military with which the station is affiliated. All military operations are launched from these bases - which makes them the target of frequent attacks.
There are two research stations in the Solar System. One is a commercial enterprise and the other is a highly guarded operation. The careers allowed to dock on either of these stations will vary with the political situation.
The following stations are listed generally in order of their distance to the sun, starting with Venus Terraform Research Station, at the heart of the system, to Umbriel Commercial, orbiting a moon of the distant Uranus:
Venus Terraform Research Station is one of two research stations in the Solar System and it is the only station orbiting Venus. As the station name implies, the research on this station focuses on finding new and improved terraforming methods for Venus. The station also occasionally contributes research to the Martian terraforming effort.
The station governor allows any civilian ship to use their facility. But be forewarned: station security strictly forbids illegal goods to come aboard. Violations will result in confiscation and heavy fines.
UEMS Artemis orbits Earth, serving the UEL as their primary patrol station. Artemis is the first line of defense for guarding Earth from all enemies. Only UEL military pilots in good standing may dock at Artemis.
As the gateway for deep space trade and travel to Earth, Lunar Commercial is one of the most heavily used commercial stations in the Solar System. Flights leave from Lunar Commercial to other stations in Earth orbit as well as to the planet's surface. Goods produced on Earth are shipped through this station to points beyond. A fair number of UEL member companies are based on this station as well.
Lunar Commercial abides by strict trade rules imposed by the League. These rules forbid certain goods from entering or leaving the station. Persons caught with banned items will have all their possessions confiscated and fines levied against them.
This UEL military station resides in Earth Node II, on the opposite side of the planet's orbit from Artemis station. UEMS Unzen serves as the supply station for all UEL off-planet military interests. From here, both Artemis and UEMS Saldrea are resupplied on a daily basis. UEMS Unzen also provides protection for the Tycho Shipyard and will assist Artemis when necessary. Only UEL military pilots may dock at Unzen.
This station orbits Mars and serves the Consortium as their primary patrol station. Olympia is the principal line of defense for protecting Mars from its enemies. Only Consortium military pilots in good standing may dock at Olympia.
With nearly as much traffic as Lunar Commercial, Mars Commercial is also a very popular spot for travelers and traders. Mars Commercial serves as a gateway station for Mars much like Lunar Commercial serves Earth. Most goods produced on Mars are shipped through this station.
As might be expected, a number of Consortium companies have their headquarters on Mars Commercial. Mars Commercial abides the free trade manifest stipulated by the Independent Council of Governors. But officials there will confiscate any illegal goods entering or leaving the station. Anyone caught with such items will be fined.
Mars Mining Station is a trading post in Mars Node II. This station serves primarily as a supplier of minerals and ores mined in and around Martian orbit. But being located away from the principal gate paths deters some traffic to and from Mars Mining Station. Still, many merchants tolerate its inconvenient location because the alternative of traveling through the Belt means risking a pirate hijacking instead. Mars Mining Station follows the free trade manifest established by the Independent Council of Governors. But Mars Mining will seize any illegal goods found at the station. The penalty for possessing such items includes a heavy fine.
Ulysses resides in Mars Node II, on the other side of the planet's orbit. This military station serves as the supply station for all Consortium military interests. Ulysses also provides protection for the Nugent Shipyard and is available to back up Olympia when needed. Only Consortium military pilots may dock at Ulysses.
Situated in the Prime Node of the Asteroid Belt, the Belt Station is the only stop between the outer nodes of Sol and the main centers of activity around Earth and Mars. The station handles high levels of traffic, with ships carrying manufactured goods and raw materials to and from the far reaches of the Solar System.
Even though the station is a key portal for many travelers and traders, it is not free from problems. Pirates operating in the Belt have become bold enough to hit transports as they try to pass through the node. Many people believe the governor of Belt Station has been corrupted with kick-backs from pirate clans and that is why such activity can thrive around the station.
The Asteroid Belt is home to many outlaws, including pirates. Rumors have spread that a massive pirate base orbits somewhere deep within the Belt. These rumors remain unconfirmed to this day. However, informers have confirmed that a pirate outpost does exist much closer to the gates, although its existence is not widely publicized.
Those pilots who don't let ethics interfere with their livelihood often seek out the pirate strongholds when they need to boost their income. Such employment is rarely easy and never safe, however. Pirates have never been known for loyalty to anything but their own clans. They will attack anybody they see as a threat, especially if it can result in a profit.
UEMS Saldrea is the UEL patrol station in the outer nodes and as such is the only military presence beyond the orbit of Mars. Because Saldrea is situated at the crossroads between Jupiter, Saturn, and the Asteroid Belt, all ships traveling into deep space must pass by Saldrea.
Because of Saldrea's strategic location, the UEL holds a distinct advantage over anyone bold enough to challenge them in the outer nodes. Only UEL military pilots in good standing may dock at Saldrea.
Europa Commercial is situated in its own node, one jump away from Saldrea station. Europa is one of several commercial stations in orbit around the gargantuan planet of Jupiter. Like many of the stations in the outer nodes, Europa doesn't specialize in any one type of commercial endeavor. Instead, there is a variety of companies based on the station, most of them offering a unique opportunity.
Orbiting the Jovian moon Callisto, this research station is quite far from even the closest gate. Governed under its own charter, Callisto operates as an independent entity. As a result, little is known about the activity aboard this station, except that it has resulted in the development of the vortex gate technology.
The station is vigorously guarded by the Callisto Squadron, an elite corps of fighters, most of them hand-picked from the UEL and Consortium military. The Callisto Squadron will stop at nothing to ensure Callisto technology does not fall into the wrong hands.
No unauthorized vessels are allowed in Callisto space, no matter if they are UEL ships, Consortium ships, or even just someone who is lost. Anyone not invited to Callisto will be asked to leave. Anyone who refuses will face forced ejection.
As its name indicates, this station is home to Traeger Aerospace, the largest producer in Sol of spacecraft, ship components, capital ships and even stations. In orbit around Ganymede, Traeger Aerospace manages a high level of traffic, bringing in raw materials and sending out finished products to destinations all over the Solar System.
Like most upstanding members of the Independent Council of Governors, Traeger follows the organization's free trade manifest. Be aware, however, that officials on Traeger will commandeer any illegal goods coming or going from the station. Anyone detained with such items will be hit with substantial fines.
This is a small mining station orbiting the moon Io. Very little traffic moves through here, although Io is a major exporter of raw materials. Because of the remote location and low profile of Io Mining station, many questionable goods are also exchanged here.
This station orbits Titan, a moon of Saturn. Many companies are based on this station, most of them in the gas mining business. Titan is situated on the gate path between Jupiter and Uranus, so it receives greater traffic than Mimas, the other station in Saturn's shadow.
This station orbits Mimas, one of Saturn's moons. A few small companies are based here. More importantly, however, is the fact that Mimas is the home of the Independent Council of Governors (ICG). From Mimas, the Council represents the independent stations and oversees all fair trade agreements.
Orbiting Oberon, one of Uranus' largest moons, this station is little more than a remote production facility for Haldeman Industries. Oberon abides by the free trade manifest stipulated by the Independent Council of Governors. But Oberon officials will seize any illegal goods found coming in or going out of the station. Anyone held for handling such items will face stiff financial penalties.
Umbriel Commercial is the farthest and most remote station in the Solar System. The station orbits Umbriel, a moon of Uranus. Just a small number of industries operate at Umbriel.
Most of the companies on Umbriel have chosen this location to escape the bustle of the inner nodes. But all the businesses based around Uranus know they are positioned to profit tremendously if travel to other star systems ever becomes possible.