Showing posts with label The Expanse. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Expanse. Show all posts

Sunday, June 30, 2024

Pallas, the origin of the Free Navy, in "The Expanse" TV series

Pallas, located in the Main Asteroid Belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, is the third-largest asteroid in the Solar System (~512km in diameter). It has 22% the mass of Ceres, the largest asteroid in the Solar System, and gravity of 0.021g (2,1% of the gravity force on Earth). With an orbital inclination of 34.8°, Pallas's orbit is unusually highly inclined to the plane of the Asteroid Belt, making Pallas harder to reach by spacecraft.

In the universe of The Expanse TV series (a political sci-fi drama set in mid-24th century when humans have colonized the entire Solar system) Pallas hosts one of the oldest stations, Pallas Station, in the outer planets, refinement stations for the mining operations in the Asteroid Belt and the largest fuel refinery in the Belt.

Pallas in 'The Expanse' TV series

In The Expanse TV series Pallas has a population of 9 to 13 thousand, but is also known for its extremist Belter splinter groups among its colony. One of those splinter groups eventually form the core of the Free Navy. Pallas is the birthplace of Marco Inaros, Naomi Nagata and their son Filip.

In late season 5 of the show the acting Secretary-General of the United Nations David Paster orders an uncoordinated missile strike against the Pallas Station, destroying one of its habitation rings and killing thousands of Belters.

Here you can view some of the few shots of Pallas Station exteriors in the show:

Pallas Station in 'The Expanse' TV series
Naomi Nagata's ship at Pallas Station docks:
Ship at Pallas Station docks in 'The Expanse' TV series
Destruction of one of the habitation rings of the Pallas Station:
Pallas Station in 'The Expanse' TV series

Destruction of Pallas Station in 'The Expanse' TV series

More content from The Expanse TV series:


Wednesday, May 8, 2024

Destruction of Deimos in "The Expanse" TV series

Deimos is the smaller and outer of the two natural satellites of Mars, the other being Phobos. Deimos, likely an asteroid captured by Mars' gravity, is highly non-spherical with a mean diameter of 12.5 km (about 57% the size of Phobos) and it orbits 23,460 km from Mars (Deimos' orbit is slowly getting larger and it is expected to eventually escape Mars' gravity). Escape velocity from the surface of Deimos is only 5.6 m/s so a human can basically jump off of it.

In the universe of The Expanse TV series (a political sci-fi drama set in mid-24th century when humans have colonized the entire Solar system) Deimos hosts military facilities and a deep radar station for Martian Congressional Republic - one of the three competing powers in The Expanse, along with the United Nations (based on Earth) and the Belt.
Concept art of Deimos in The Expanse by Canadian designer Lee Fitzgerald:
Concept art of Deimos by Lee Fitzgerald for 'The Expanse' TV series

In early season 2 of The Expanse Deimos is destroyed with nuclear missiles in a "moon for a moon" retaliatory strike by the United Nations (Earth) after the Martian assault cruiser destroyed Earth's research base on Saturn's moon Phoebe along with the consequent destruction of the moon itself. The destruction of Deimos killed 17 Martians and the moon disintegrated forming the "Deimos Ring" around Mars.
Concept art of Martian Deep Radar Station on Deimos before the missile strike by Lee Fitzgerald:
Concept art of Deimos surface before the missile strike by Lee Fitzgerald for 'The Expanse' TV series
News coverage of the destruction of Deimos:
Destruction of Deimos in 'The Expanse' TV series

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

Ganymede, the breadbasket of the Belt, in "The Expanse" TV series

Ganymede is one of the "Galilean moons" of Jupiter and the largest moon in the Solar System. It's only slightly smaller than Mars, but with only half the density, its gravity is actually weaker than the Moon's. Ganymede is the only moon with any magnetosphere thus having the ability to deflect charged ionizing radiation. In the universe of The Expanse TV series (a political sci-fi drama set in mid-24th century when humans have colonized the entire Solar system) Ganymede acts as the breadbasket of the Belt - one of the three competing powers in The Expanse, along with the United Nations (based on Earth) and Mars.

Agricultural dome on Ganymede in 'The Expanse' TV series

In the universe of The Expanse Ganymede has millions of residents and Ganymede Station was one of the first permanent human settlements in the outer planets, built as a long term colony with large domes filled with food crops. Large mirrors were placed around the moon to supply the Sun's light to the surface for crop growth. It was known as the safest station in the Jovian system, and many humans from other colonies traveled to Ganymede to deliver their babies, as the magnetosphere helps claim the Jovian moon the lowest amount of birth defects and stillbirths. Initially, at the start of the series, Ganymede is divided between the United Nations and Mars.

The life on Ganymede is depicted in season 2 of The Expanse. Here you can view some of the best shots from Ganymede (downscaled from 4K UHD screens for better image quality) as well as some concept art for it.
Inside an agricultural dome on Ganymede:
Inside an agricultural dome on Ganymede in 'The Expanse' TV series
Magnetosphere protects Ganymede from Jupiter's harsh radiation belt:
Ganymede in 'The Expanse' TV series
A ship landing at a human colony on Ganymede:
A ship landing at a human colony on Ganymede in 'The Expanse' TV series
Concept art for a Ganymede greenhouse by Romain Jouandeau:
Concept art for a Ganymede greenhouse by Romain Jouandeau for 'The Expanse' TV series

Friday, November 3, 2023

Ceres, the capital of the Belt, in "The Expanse" TV series

Ceres, located in the Main Asteroid Belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, is the largest known asteroid (~940km in diameter) and the only dwarf planet in the Inner Solar system. In the universe of The Expanse TV series (a political sci-fi drama set in mid-24th century when humans have colonized the entire Solar system) Ceres acts as the de facto capital for the Belt - one of the three competing powers in The Expanse, along with the United Nations (based on Earth) and Mars.

Ceres naturally has a gravity of 0.029g (2,9% of the gravity force on Earth), but in the universe of The Expanse it has been artificially spun up to 0.3g of centrifugal force (so the "gravity" points in the opposite direction, not towards the center of the planet). There is a population of around 6 million in Ceres Station which consists of tens of thousands of kilometers of tunnels bored deep into Ceres. Ceres Station is the most important spaceport in the Belt, 800 to 1'000 ships are docked on Ceres every day, so along with the 6 million permanent residents there are an extra one million transiting through at any given time. Ceres Station was initially governed by the United Nations, but during season 1 of the show Outer Planets Alliance (OPA, a fractured sociopolitical movement trying to unite the Belt) takes control.

The life on Ceres is depicted in season 1 and season 6 of The Expanse. Here you can view some of the best shots from locations on Ceres Station (part of them downscaled from 4K UHD screens for better image quality) as well as some concept art for Ceres:

Ceres in 'The Expanse' TV series
Mid-town Ceres Station:
Mid-town Ceres Station in 'The Expanse' TV series
Ceres Station docks on the surface of Ceres:
Ceres Station docks on the surface of Ceres in 'The Expanse' TV series
Administrative Plaza of Ceres:
Administrative Plaza of Ceres in 'The Expanse' TV series
Concept art for The Medina level on Ceres by North Front Studio:
Concept art for The Medina level on Ceres by North Front Studio for 'The Expanse' TV series

Friday, December 10, 2021

Lunar colony in season 5 of The Expanse

After the bombardment of Earth Lovell City on Luna (the Moon) became the de facto capital of United Nations, one of the three competing powers in universe of The Expanse TV series - a political sci-fi drama set a few centuries in the future where humans have colonized the entire Solar system. Luna functions as a way station between Earth and the rest of the Solar system, and its spaceport at Lovell City serves as a natural meeting place between residents of the inner planets and Belters. Due to its lower gravity, Luna is the only body in the inner system that Belters can easily visit. UN citizens living on Luna are generally wealthier than most of their counterparts on Earth.

As Mars was one of the major locations in season 4 of the show, Luna is in season 5, coming into spotlight after the bombardment of Earth. Here is a collection with HD images from the Lunar scenes in season 5 of The Expanse. There are a few more from the trailer of the season.

Lunar colony (Aldrin Docks at Lovell City) in season 5 of The Expanse

Lunar colony (Lovell City) in season 5 of The Expanse
Avasarala looking at Lovell City:
Avasarala looking at Lunar colony (Lovell City) in season 5 of The Expanse
Memorial at Lovell City:
Memorial at Lunar colony (Lovell City) in season 5 of The Expanse

Sunday, March 21, 2021

Martian colonies in season 5 of The Expanse

Mars is one of the three competing powers in universe of The Expanse TV series - a political sci-fi drama set a few centuries in the future where humans have colonized the entire Solar system. Mars, governed by Martian Congressional Republic, is a militaristic and technologically advanced society of over nine billion inhabitants. Martian society had been highly mobilized towards the shared goal of terraforming Mars for over a century but in season 4 that shared goal and order of the Martian society was starting to erode as the new habitable planets beyond the rings were discovered and people realized they could build a new home there without the costly need of terraformation. That erosion continues in season 5.

In Martian scenes of season 5 the show focuses on depicting Asteria Naval Base (or Asteria NB) which is a military base and war college of the Martian Congressional Republic Navy (MCRN). Here is a collection with HD images from the Martian scenes in season 5 of The Expanse (open link in new tab to view in full resolution).

Exterior and interior of the Asteria Naval Base:
Mars colony (Asteria Naval Base) in Season 5 of The Expanse

Mars colony interior (Asteria Naval Base) in Season 5 of The Expanse
Martian mass transit network crosses canyons on cables and runs deep under ground:
Cable car on Mars in Season 5 of The Expanse

Mars colony metro in Season 5 of The Expanse

Sunday, October 11, 2020

Lunar colony in season 5 trailer of The Expanse

A few days ago the season 5 trailer for The Expanse was released - a political sci-fi series set a few centuries in the future, where humans have colonized the entire Solar system. Mars, one of three competing forces in the universe of The Expanse, was in the spotlight in season 4 of the show. It now seems it is the Moon's (Luna's) turn, which is under the jurisdiction of the United Nations (based on Earth) in the universe of The Expanse. There are several scenes depicting a Lunar colony (Lovell City) in the season 5 trailer:

Lunar colony (Lovell City) in season 5 trailer of The Expanse

Lunar colony (Lovell City, top view) in season 5 trailer of The Expanse
Cargo ship descending to the Moon:
Cargo lander landing on The Moon in season 5 trailer of The Expanse
There is only one scene set on Mars in the trailer:
Exploring Mars in season 5 trailer of The Expanse

Thursday, December 26, 2019

Martian colonies in season 4 of The Expanse

Although Mars is one of the three competing powers in universe of The Expanse TV series (a political sci-fi detective set a few centuries in the future where humans have colonized the entire Solar system) only a few scenes were actually set on Mars in first three seasons of the series. That changes in season 4 where the life on Mars at last gets proper depiction.

In The Expanse Mars, governed by Martian Congressional Republic, is a militaristic and technologically advanced society of over nine billion inhabitants. It is the major competitor of Earth & Luna, governed by United Nations. Earth, dragged down by overpopulation and climate change, envies Mars because of its society's high mobilization towards the shared goal of terraforming Mars. But in season 4 that shared goal and order of the Martian society is starting to erode as the new habitable planets beyond the rings are discovered (without the costly need of being terraformed as Mars does). As the interplanetary military tension is over veterans find themselves needless in the peace time society; crime and corruption is rising, and some even manage to sell older military tech to Belter pirate gangs.

Here is a collection with HD images from the Martian scenes in season 4 of The Expanse (open link in new tab to view in full resolution):

Mars colony in Season 4 of The Expanse

Mars colony in Season 4 of The Expanse
Exterior and interior of a shipyard for Martian fleet:
Shipyard exterior on Mars in Season 4 of The Expanse

Shipyard interior on Mars in Season 4 of The Expanse
Martian school kids training for exam:
Martian school kids training for exam in Season 4 of The Expanse

Friday, December 13, 2019

Astronauts returning to Mars colony by Ferdinand Ladera

Picture of the Day 13/12/2019 - exploration team returning to human colony on Mars by Filipino fantasy artist Ferdinand Ladera; illustration for The Expanse role-playing board game.

Astronauts returning to Mars colony by Ferdinand Ladera - illustration for The Expanse RPG

Monday, October 14, 2019

Colonized Valles Marineris region on Mars from season 4 teaser of The Expanse

There are two short scenes on Mars in the latest season 4 teaser for The Expanse TV series - a political sci-fi detective set a few centuries in the future where humans have colonized the entire Solar system; Mars is one of three competing forces in the universe of The Expanse. There were three more scenes on Mars in the first teaser for season 4.
Human colonies in Valles Marineris region (horizontally flipped in the trailer for some unknown reason) on Mars:
Human colonies in Valles Marineris region on Mars from season 4 teaser of The Expanse
Earth's leader Avasarala attending a diplomatic banquet on Mars:
Earth's leader Avasarala attending a diplomatic banquet on Mars from season 4 teaser of The Expanse

HD images of Mars from season 2 of The Expanse TV series here


Tuesday, August 13, 2019

Mars colony bored into a mountain from season 4 teaser of The Expanse

Two weeks ago came out the first season 4 teaser for The Expanse TV series - a political sci-fi detective set a few centuries in the future where humans have colonized the entire Solar system; Mars is one of three competing forces in the universe of The Expanse. There are two three short scenes on Mars in the teaser.
Human colony bored into a Martian mountain:
Mars colony bored into a mountain from season 4 teaser of The Expanse
Shuttle over colonized Mars:
Shutle over Mars from season 4 teaser of The Expanse
Earth's leader Avasarala in Martian tunnel:
Avasarala in Martian tunnel from season 4 teaser of The Expanse

HD images of Mars from season 2 of The Expanse TV series here


Friday, June 29, 2018

Boy on Mars messaging his dad (image from The Expanse season 3)

Picture of the Day 29/6/2018 - Alex receiving a video message from his son on Mars - image from episode 6, season 3 of The Expanse sci-fi TV series. Images of Mars from season 2 of the series here.

Boy on Mars messaging his dad - image from The Expanse TV series

Saturday, May 27, 2017

HD images of Mars from "The Expanse" TV series

Mars is one of two competing superpowers in the universe of The Expanse TV series (a political sci-fi detective set a few centuries in the future where humans have colonized the entire Solar system) but only a few scenes are actually set on Mars in the series. Here are some HD images from those few scenes in season 2 (open link in new tab to view in full resolution):

Valles Marineris - Mars image from The ExpanseMartian orbit - Mars image from The Expanse

Martian soldier - Mars image from The ExpanseSoldier in a canyon - Mars image from The Expanse

Terraforming Red Mars - image from The ExpanseTerraformed Blue Mars - image from The Expanse

Mars colony - image from The ExpanseValles Marineris - Mars image from The Expanse

Colonized independent Mars - image from The ExpanseMars as Earth's colony 137 years ago - image from The Expanse

More content from The Expanse TV series: