Earth

"Welcome to the Space Age. Humans have left Earth, but not abandoned it."

- Near Orbit

Earth is the third planet from the Sun and the only astronomical object known to harbor life. According to radiometric dating and other sources of evidence, Earth formed over 4.5 billion years ago.

Overview
Earth is the home of humanity. The Corporations have taken over the world from their skyscraper fortresses, at the same time massive armies of cyborg killers roam the shattered urban ruins of deserted cities. Countries have collapsed in more ways then one, Corporate Wars have ruined the economies and rebuilt them again. The United States has divided, Japan is the biggest Empire on the planet, China has become a rising power, Soviet Union in fights, and the EEC is looking to the stars for expansion.

Corporations like Arasaka, Militech, SovOil, and many more are the rulers of Earth. It may be the home world of Humanity, but with companies like Orbital Air and Mitsubishi/Koridansu creating new worlds outside, they promise a new positive future for those who go off world.

Humans expansion into space started through the ESA (Euro Space Agency) building the Crystal Palace, the Soviet Union followed after with their presence in space being limited but noticeable. The ESA owns much of what can be found in space from the cities on Luna to the space stations. JAB also has a presence in space with many work stations being built by them.

The View From Space
At the Near Earth Orbit Zones, the skies are crowded with much space traffic and very busy Orbital Transfer vehicles unloading cargo into space shuttles as well as spaceplanes docking the various spider-webbed girders of habitats and stations around planet Earth. There are nearly 200 factories in Orbit around Earth, some are owned by the powerful Japanese corporation Mitsubishi.

Not many corporations have entered orbit besides transportation that takes cargo from different parts of the planet. There are plenty of airport stations that will transport people to other colonies in the Sol System.

In Low Orbit
In the low Near Earth Orbit (LEO), the traffic is very light. Communications, weather and spy satellites shift from this zone to Geo-syn Orbit and back as their programmed routines dictate. LEO is also the domain of orbital space fighters and battle satellites, which require closer orbits and a much higher degree of movement.