2000-2049 SFC

This page details the years 2001-2050 according to the timeline presented in the Star Trek Spaceflight Chronology.
 * Note: The SFC was published in 1980, so events after that date may not correspond to real-life history.

2001
Mercury Rover sends back first soil sample information from its location at terminator. Data obtained is from both dark side and light side of planet.

2002
Construction begins on the first city in space. This is by far man's largest undertaking off the Earth to date.

UN study shows space industry will grow at exponential rate over next 15 years.

2003
The United Space Initiative is signed in New York. This landmark agreement will focus and accelerate man's exploration of the Solar System for the benefit of all mankind.

2004
Farside Moonbase begins operations. Will specialize in radio telescope observations.

First major expansion of the Goddard Moonbase.

Mass Driver in use at Clavius Mines. Raw materials are shot back to Earth orbit for processing to feed burgeoning industry.

2005
The first spacechild is born at the Farside Moonbase. This event is heralded the world over as a new generation of man has begun.

2006
Thomas Morrison, the first person to die on the moon, is buried in a simple grave marking this historic occasion.

2007
Marking the 50th anniversary of the space age, the most comprehensive encyclopedia of space exploration is published.

Tsiolkovskygrad, the first L-5 city in space, is completed. 250 people take up residence.

2008
Aventeur-class enters service. It is the first ship to be entirely assembled in Earth orbit.

Fusion power research and development brings forth the ultimate recycling device, the Fusion Torch, a furnace so hot that it can melt down all materials, artificial and natural, to their basic state.

2009
Second L-5 city in space opens. Five more to be built in following decade.

2010
First Earth/Space Census shows 1,500 people living off the Earth. As many as 7,500 could be in space by the year 2020, UN study shows.

Solar now accounts for 40% US energy use. Worldwide accelerated Solar Power Satellite program will be completed this decade.

2012
Marsbase 1, the first interplanetary outpost, begins the first thorough search for extraterrestrial life.

2013
The DY-300, successor to the DY-100, undergoes prototype testing. This design has some serious flaws which prevent it from entering service.

2014
First manned Jupiter Mission is farthest journey from Earth.

The Space Homesteading Act affords enterprising pioneers the opportunity to acquire property in the Solar System. From its beginnings, the Act proves to be popular and workable.

2015
Marsbase 2 expands the search for extraterrestrial life.

The first interstellar probes, the Stellar Series, are launched towards the nearby stars. This series ends in 2022.

2017
UNSS U-Thant reports large amounts of antimatter in interstellar void. This startling discovery subsequently changes the course of space-flight technology decades later.

2018
From Marsbase 3 begins an in-depth study on using Phobos and Deimos for mining of materials.

The first homesteaders begin leaving for the Asteroid Belt.

2019
On 50th anniversary of the first manned mission to the moon, all six original Apollo landing sites become historic landmarks.

On Phobos, the larger Martian moon, a temporary base is set up as first mining activity begins.

2020
First manned mission to Saturn reports evidence of alien visitation. This remarkable find begins to change forever man's perspective of himself in the universe.

2021
Evidence of life found on Mars in the form of skeletal structures of insect-like creatures.

2022
Jackson Roykirk, designer of the Stellar Series, dies.

UNSS Courageous cannot return home, thus becoming the worst tragedy in the 65 year history of spaceflight. This incident, caused by a solar flare penetrating a shielding flaw, leads to upgrading all design and safety standards for forthcoming ships.

2023
Fusion propulsion given increased R&D funding to speed its feasibility in spaceship use.

2024
Scientific study gives the proposed Venus Terraforming Project an unconditional "GO." It should begin in a few years.

2025
Twelve probes are sent into Jupiter's Red Spot sending back data showing it is the result of inner core, and not merely atmospheric, processes.

2026
The capital city of the Asteroid Belt, Asteropolis, opens as the center of all mining activity. It is also used, at times, as a way-station and refueling depot for increasing outer planet expeditions.

2027
The terraforming of Venus begins by seeding the upper atmosphere with the algae Cyanidium caldarium. The project will extend over several decades before the planet is completely habitable.

2028
The Jupiter Base on Ganymede begins expanded research into the Solar system's largest planet.

2029
Mysterious, intelligent signals are received at Farside Moonbase 2C. Emanating at 327° toward the Galactic Center in Sagittarius from a distance of 15,000 light years, they are the first extraterrestrial communications ever heard by man.

2031
A second Jupiter base on Ganymede joins in the research of the huge planet, while also starting studies of the other Jovian moons.

2032
A series of second generation, greatly improved, interstellar probes are launched from the Earth's moon.

Call to rescind the Homestead Act defeated in view of the Asteroid Belt's obvious benefits to Earth.

2033
Expedition places manned mission in 40 million kilometer orbit around sun to study our star close-up.

2034
Saturn Solar Base begins operations on Titan.

UN commissions Solar Fleet for security and rescue purposes throughout the inhabited solar system.

2035
Advanced Fusion Prototype One experimental ship explodes with all lives lost. This is a major setback for interstellar travel capability.

2036
Geon holes in the spacetime fabric are detected for the first time by the interstellar probe Drake. These deformations are used decades later for warp communications.

2037
Spacefarms, huge orbiting windmill-shaped constructions, become a new source of food supply for the Earth.

2038
Born: Harmon Axelrod, first Secretary General of the UFP (2087).

Intensive training begins for crews of forthcoming long-duration interstellar voyages.

2039
The Earth's first Pluto Base opens. It will serve as a navigational check point for extra-solar missions.

2040
Advanced fusion drive Columbus-class ships enter service as the Earth's largest space-going vessels.

Commercial interplanetary travel begins with the inaugural flight of Solar Spacelines. And a new species will soon Inhabit the solar System: the tourist.

2041
The Adameve leaves for Barnard's Star. This first interstellar journey is expected to last nine years.

2042
The Icarus sets sail for the closest neighboring star system, Alpha Centauri. The estimated travel time for the voyage is six years.

2043
Extra-solar activity grows as more crews will soon be needed for interstellar flight.

2044
Interplanetary Communications Network guarantees reliable communications throughout the Solar system.

2045
The United Nations celebrates 100 years of cooperation among the peoples of Earth. People throughout the Solar System take part.

2046
The Venus Flyer, a variable wing airplane, passes its final Earth testing and is transported to Venus to take part in the Terraforming Project.

2047
After 20 years, the Venus Terraforming project has progressed enough to allow a base to be constructed at the North Pole. Estimates indicate it will be a few decades more before the work is completed.

2048
Man encounters intelligent humanoid life in the Alpha Centauri Star system. This event forever changes humankind.

2049
Solar System activity booms as new industrial methods continually raise the Gross Solar Product (GSP).

2050
In a little over half a century, Earth people can be found throughout the solar system, an accomplishment previous generations of Earthside pioneers would be proud of.