Space Colony Design and Finance

As that the planets of the solar system are to a one uninhabitable and terraforming is impractical, the bulk of human colonization of space is either in domed bases on a planet or moon's surface or in the form of an orbiting space colony. Both are practical, but expensive endeavors, prompting clever ways to provide money. Space colonies are the prefered choice, however, because they more accurately model Earth-like conditions. Septima series and later colonies emulate Earth's biomes with suprising fidelity.

The Investor Bond Cycle
Colony construction begins when a construction company sells Space Colonization Bonds on a stock market to finance the construction of a colony--domed or freely orbiting--or an extension on an existing colony. After construction is complete, the company then offers housing within the colony, using the labor of the residents to maintain the colony and their rent to pay dividends to the investors. Space Colony Bonds are a heavily favored investment; they reliably fulfill the 5-7% annual dividend thanks to the rent, making them an essential "safe" base for any investor's portfolio.

Colonies are politically independent, and have their own local governments. Many more permanent residents dislike paying rent indefinitely to the construction company and investors, so often the first measure a local colony government undertakes is to establish a local tax or fund to buy the colony back. Alternatively, individual residents can buy enough bonds to offset their own rent and utilities, effectively buying their own home.

Domed Colonies
Domed Colonies sprawl out on a planet or moon's surface, shaped more like a flat puddle of water than a bubble. Domes are usually constructed of trasparent plastics, pressed into hexagonal tiles which slide together. As that the internal pressure is almost always higher than the external pressure, girders to hold down the dome extend up from the floor. Often these girders contain both the Oxygen recyclers and climate control.

Centerfuge Colonies
Centerfuge Colonies have markedly changed in design from the original colonies. First generation colonies were torus shaped, and had little space for more than two or three layers in their design. Since then, the price of materials has dropped and the design has moved from torus rings to cylinders.