The Quaternary Texts

Lunar Chronicles

Notes from The Chronicler:

A Catalog

Timeline

21st Century:Pre-Lunar Settlement

Laying the Foundation

• c.2025: Artemis III - First human landing on the Moon since the Apollo program. Focus on scientific research and testing resource extraction (ISRU).
• 2030s: Establishment of the first semi-permanent base camps near the lunar South Pole. These camps focus on research, testing life support, and resource extraction technologies (water ice, oxygen).
• 2045: Major strides in lunar mining technology, with the first feasibility studies on mining water ice and helium-3.
• 2045: Major strides in lunar mining technology, with the first feasibility studies on mining water ice and helium-3.
• 2090: Signing of the International Space Governance Accord, setting regulations for mining, settlement, and the use of lunar resources.

22nd Century: Lunar Colonization

Beginnings

• 2105: First semi-permanent mining outposts established at the South Pole and select resource-rich areas. These focus on water extraction and processing lunar regolith.
• 2130s: Lunar tourism begins with temporary, small-scale bases built for short visits near scenic craters like Tycho and Shackleton.
• 2180: First lunar settlements established beyond scientific outposts, involving small permanent populations for mining, research, and tourism.

23rd Century: Lunar Settlements

Peak and Decline

• 2205-2220: Significant expansion of lunar cities and corporate mining towns. Private companies establish mining colonies to extract helium-3, water, and minerals.
• 2210: Peak of lunar tourism, where resorts become a trendy vacation destination for Earth's wealthy elite.
• 2230s: Emergence of lunar corruption scandals, as corporate mismanagement and a lack of government oversight lead to problems with infrastructure and labor exploitation.
• 2250: Early signs of settlement decline, as mining accidents and poor planning cause frequent breakdowns in cities and towns.
• 2285-2290: Complete abandonment of lunar settlements following a major mining accident, corporate corruption scandals, and environmental degradation. The Moon is left with only a few trading posts and rest stops.

24th Century: Historical Reflections

Artifacts and Scholars

• 2320s-2350s: Scholars begin documenting the rise and fall of lunar settlements. The Chronicler from this time compiles early lunar history, documenting the events of the 23rd century.
• 2375: Discovery and re-examination of abandoned lunar settlements and artifacts. These become valuable for archeologists and historians.

Key Dates

• 2025: First human landing (Artemis III)
• 2030-2035: First semi-permanent base camps
• 2090: International Space Governance Accord
• 2130s: Lunar tourism begins
• 2210: Peak lunar tourism
• 2250: Lunar settlements start to decline
• 2285: Final abandonment of lunar settlements
• 2320s-2350s: Historical accounts written by the Chronicler

Sources

21st Century: Pre-Lunar Settlement

• 2025: Artemis III Mission Report
• Primary Source:
  Artemis III: Human Landing Mission Report
  Official NASA documentation of the first human landing on the Moon since Apollo, detailing the mission's scientific achievements, resource testing, and crew reports.
• Secondary Source:
  History of Lunar Exploration in the 21st Century
  A future historical analysis of NASA's Artemis program, written in the mid-22nd century.
• 2030s: First Semi-Permanent Base Camp
• Primary Source:
  Lunar Base Alpha: Initial Research Logs
  Logs and journals from astronauts stationed at the first base camp near the lunar South Pole, covering scientific research and daily life.
• Primary Source:
  South Pole Solar Array Installation Report
  A technical report on the deployment and performance of solar panels at the base camp.
• 2045: Lunar Mining Feasibility Studies
• Primary Source:
  Lunar Resource Extraction Feasibility Study (2045)
  A corporate or governmental report examining the viability of extracting water ice, helium-3, and other valuable resources from the lunar surface.
• Secondary Source:
  Economic Impacts of Lunar Resource Extraction
  A mid-22nd-century economic analysis of the lunar mining industry and its impacts on Earth-based industries.
• 2090: International Space Governance Accord
• Primary Source:
  The International Space Governance Accord (2090)
  Official document signed by multiple nations and private entities to regulate lunar resources, settlements, and activities in space.
• Secondary Source:
  Lunar Law: The Evolution of Space Governance
  A 24th-century law journal analyzing the history and consequences of the 2090 Accord.

22nd Century: Beginning of Lunar Colonization

• 2105: First Semi-Permanent Mining Outposts
• Primary Source:
  Lunar Outpost Alpha Construction Logs
  Daily reports from engineers and workers involved in the first mining outpost construction, detailing material use, equipment, and workforce challenges.
• Primary Source:
  Lunar Water Extraction Trial Results
  Scientific papers documenting early attempts to extract and process lunar water ice.
• 2130s: Lunar Tourism Begins
• Primary Source:
  Brochure: Welcome to Lunar Resort Alpha
  A marketing brochure from one of the first lunar resorts, aimed at attracting Earth's wealthy tourists to the Moon.
• Primary Source:
  Tourist Journal Entries
  Personal journal entries or blog posts from one of the first lunar tourists, describing their experience on the Moon.
• 2180: First Lunar Settlements
• Primary Source:
  Lunar Settlement Charter: Lunar City I
  The founding documents and charters for the first permanent lunar settlements, outlining legal structures, corporate governance, and resource management.

23rd Century: Lunar Settlements Peak and Decline

• 2205-2220: Expansion of Lunar Cities and Corporate Towns
• Primary Source:
  Lunar City Alpha: Development Logs
  Detailed logs from architects, engineers, and planners documenting the construction of major lunar cities, factories, and infrastructure.
• Primary Source:
  Company Report: Lunar Mining Operations Quarterly Report (2210)
  Corporate reports detailing profits, resource yields, and infrastructure issues from helium-3 and mineral extraction operations.
• Tertiary Source:
  Lunar Chronology: A Guide to Major Developments
  A timeline created by later historians documenting key milestones in lunar city growth and the resource industry.
• 2210: Peak of Lunar Tourism
• Primary Source:
  Tourist Memoirs
  Diaries, travel logs, and personal memoirs written by lunar tourists visiting during the height of lunar tourism.
• Primary Source:
  Film: A Lunar Getaway
  A popular movie or promotional video created in the 2210s advertising lunar tourism and showcasing lunar resorts.
• 2230s: Emergence of Corruption and Decline
• Primary Source:
  Corporate Whistleblower Letters
  Letters or memos from corporate insiders expose the corruption and safety issues in the lunar settlements.
• Secondary Source:
  The Collapse of Lunar Company Towns
  A historical analysis written in the 24th century examining the reasons for the decline of lunar mining towns and settlements.
• 2250: Decline and Collapse
• Primary Source:
  Government Investigation: Lunar Infrastructure Report (2250)
  An official government report analyzing the collapse of key infrastructure in lunar settlements due to corruption, mismanagement, and environmental factors.
• Tertiary Source:
  Chronicles of Lunar Collapse
  A compilation of various primary sources (letters, government reports, company memos) compiled by a future historian, documenting the reasons for the collapse of lunar society.
• 2285-2290: Final Abandonment
• Primary Source:
  Abandonment Notice: Lunar City Alpha
  A final announcement issued by the last remaining lunar city declaring the official abandonment of the settlement.
• Primary Source:
  Pirate Activity Report
  Documents detailing illegal activity on the Moon, including early space piracy and smuggling, which may have played a role in the decision to abandon the settlements.

24th Century: Historical Reflections

• 2320s-2350s: Scholars Begin Documenting Lunar History
• Primary Source:
  Personal Correspondence: Chronicler's Notes
  Early drafts or personal notes from The Chronicler documenting his research into lunar settlements.
• Secondary Source:
  The Rise and Fall of Lunar Settlements
  An early historical work compiling the events from the 21st to 23rd centuries, reflecting on the achievements and failures of lunar colonization.
• 2375: Discovery of Abandoned Lunar Artifacts
• Primary Source:
  Archaeological Dig Report: Lunar City Alpha
  Reports from archaeologists or historians who revisit the Moon to study abandoned settlements and extract historical artifacts from the lunar surface.
• Tertiary Source:
  Artifacts of the Moon: A Catalogue
  A curated list of lunar artifacts found during 24th-century excavations, documenting everything from mining equipment to personal belongings left behind by the lunar inhabitants.