2293 Expansionist Uprising

Earth is engulfed in turmoil as rumors of a faster-than-light (FTL) space drive spark the Expansionist Uprising. These rumors stem from a press release about the "Metric Track" experiment, which announces a breakthrough in space modulation research, suggesting the potential development of an interstellar drive. However, this breakthrough is primarily financial, securing funding for the second phase of the project to control space bubbles from within. Despite claims of imminent FTL technology, genuine breakthroughs remain centuries away. The expansionist factions, frustrated with Earth's inward-focused policies since the Great Separation of 2284, see these rumors as a beacon of hope, leading to widespread protests that quickly escalate into violent clashes and civil unrest.

The general populace, while largely supportive of Earth’s ecological restoration, still harbors deep-seated aspirations for humanity's future in space. The brutal suppression of the Expansionist movement, marked by increased surveillance and a system of denunciations, only radicalizes the movement further and garners new followers. Expressing expansionist ideas becomes treasonous, leading to severe penalties.

Amid this oppressive atmosphere, many expansionists choose to emigrate to interplanetary settlements, marking the third great wave of emigration to space. These emigrants, well-educated and wealthy by Earth's standards, initially face challenges adapting to the advanced interplanetary society. While some manage to acquire the necessary skills, others struggle, yet all of them contribute to the rapid growth of the interplanetary civilization. This wave of emigration constitutes a significant outflow of capital as many wealth expansionists transfer their assets to space.

The influx of immigrants revitalizes the interplanetary settlements, bringing new resources but also straining limited supplies and living space. This wave of emigration exacerbates the ongoing crisis triggered by Earth's separation, yet it also accelerates the solution by increasing well-funded habitat building primarily in cis-lunar space, in wide earth orbits, at the earth-moon.

Lagrange points and on the moon surface.

Unintended by Earth, the repression of Expansionism and the subsequent wave of emigration result in one last significant subsidy boost from Earth for the interplanetary civilization.

2302 Establishment of the Solar Coalition

The United Planets Organization (UPO) undergoes a significant reorganization, transforming into the Solar Coalition. This shift was driven by Earth's increasing isolationism and its withdrawal from interplanetary affairs. As Earth turns inward, space-based nations and habitats need a new framework for cooperation and mutual support, especially in light of Earth's growing hostility.

Despite its retreat from interplanetary relations, Earth remains a colossal force in terms of economic activity, population, and culture. The planet is an economic powerhouse, teeming with countless enterprises, hundreds of nations, and a diverse population numbering in the billions. Its cultural richness far surpasses that of the fledgling interplanetary civilization, which, despite its automation-driven economic growth, is still in its infancy. For many, Earth's departure from the UPO feels like the heart being torn from the Sol System. Without Earth, the Sol System seems a smaller and poorer place, at least for several decades until the interplanetary civilization fills the void both culturally and economically.

In response to Earth's exit, the Solar Coalition is formed to provide a unified platform for technological collaboration and cultural exchange among its members. This new organization aims to foster a sense of unity and shared purpose among its diverse participants, which includes the Martian Republics, the Ganymede Directorate, the Palladian League, and numerous independent space stations and habitats.

Over the next two centuries, the Solar Coalition emerges as the primary organizing body for interplanetary relations. Though it never becomes a unified government, it successfully maintains stability laying the groundwork for the interplanetary economy to flourish independently of Earth.

Vegas/Luna is selected as the seat of the newly formed Solar Coalition. This choice underscores the independence of Earth's Moon from terrestrial developments signaling that the Moon is an integral part of the interplanetary civilization.