Planetoid 51

[von Lucky]

This thread contains all types of awesome. Thanks for sharing. Thanks for creating!

[Mason]

 

Superb!
Gotta love it!

 

[Oldben1]

I used those little thanksgiving buds for plants as well.  I love the 50's vibe!

[Aquamarine]

Life on Planetoid 51 Part A

 Once the intrepid space traveller has acclimatize to the environment of his new colony, their next challenge is to begin life in this strange world. The newcomer would had already undergone a series of seminars on Earth to prepare them for life on the colony. This however does not necessarily cushion the initial hardships of adapting to a new world, familiar yet so very different in many ways.
   The initial impression of life in a space colony is how compressed this new life is. Because the availability of building materials is limited, living space must be reduced. On Planetoid 51, the new comer feels that he has entered a miniaturized version of Earth. All the familiar architecture, shops and services are present but the forms are greatly economized. On Earth, apartments and offices are commonly thirty stories high or above, containing several roomy apartments on each level. Colonial buildings on the other hand, are no taller than ten stories, each with a single apartment or office on each level. Likewise, stores and recreation centres are tiny compared to their Earth counterparts.
 A colonist can serve his entire term in a one room home or an apartment. It is also likely that he will share that space with a room-mate for half that period of time. However for personnel holding executive and professional credentials, individual housing is a priority. A typical Earth abode will have several large rooms. The largest colonial home may also include several rooms but have a total floor space equal to only a large room in a Earth abode. Typically the bathroom is separated only by a thin screen. Families eat, wash and sleep with only limited privacy to separate their activities. The use of sedatives involuntarily administered to co-inhabitants is a popular mean for ensuring privacy for at least a few hours.
  Depending upon a colony's environment, access to the wider space will vary. Colonists living on space stations for an example will have no contact with the outside compared to those living on colonies possessing a terra formed atmosphere. Planetoid 51 is one of several bodies fortunate to have a life sustaining atmosphere and gravity. A colonist can potentially gain access to the entire Planetoid. This is a significant benefit for those frustrated by the confined living space.
 Another impression for a newcomer is the similarities shared between Planetoid 51 and Earth regarding comfortable diversions. This is result of the monetary infusion by the giant corporations whose self interest is to increase the retention rate among the workers by offering a familiar continuity. Therefore the colonist finds his recreational pursuits unbroken with that enjoyed on Earth. Bowling, swimming, golf, dance socials, theatre and dining out are but a few of the many diversions that can fill his day off. If the colonist is mindful of local predatory creatures, flash floods, cosmic radiation exposure and spontaneous sink holes, a day out in the wilderness picnicking,hiking or mountain climbing can be enjoyed outside of a town with only a slight chance of death or maiming.
 This Planetoid enjoys an abundance of food due to the success of its hydroponic farms. Recently the colony began to export to other colonies. Compared to Earth, the cuisine is said to be very bland. Locals joke that this is because of the necessary practice of recycling human wastage back into the food chain. However this is actually due to the limited quantities of spices and exotic food that are imported. Native flora and fauna have been successfully introduced into the local diet but some malcontents complain of a metallic after taste whenever this is done, usually preceding their untimely and unexplained deaths.
(This grocery store was inspired by a zombie blog, Vampifan (sp?). It provides for scenarios involving loose groups of survivors hiding from the invaders and trying to raid sources of food)

[Aquamarine]

Life on Planetoid 51 Part B
 
 Another impression which the newcomer can expect is that extraneous controls of his lifestyle are obvious. Due to the limitations by which supplies and materials can be delivered over the vastness of space, a master plan is in place to manage all resources and individual consumption. This begins with the colonist's control of his personal funds. For the purpose of controlling inflation and black marketing, colonists are provided a daily allowance for their expenses. The bulk of their wages are kept in the bank and they are encouraged to invest this portion into bonds and stocks via the bank's stockbrokers. Additional funds may be acquired on a "as needed basis". The colonist meets with the bank teller and his requests is approved or denied after it filters through a master computer program which determines the impact the allowance may have upon the larger economy. The negative impact of a refusal is mitigated by a free gift of a ballpoint pen (if stock supplies allow). 
  As much as possible, a variety of consumer goods are made available for purchase. This is a necessary practice as access to shopping and personal goods adds to the enjoyment of life on the distant colony. However popular goods require rationing in order to reasonably meet overall demands and to avoid the unsightly look of near empty store shelves. The colonist must get use to the practice of "look but don't touch" whenever certain items undergo a big run in demand. The tradition of Christmas is a period of great challenge and headaches for the administrators of consumable supply management. On more than one occasion they have considered banning the holiday however the rioting and strikes which occurred following an prior aborted ban on birthday parties, continues to be a big factor that delays a final resolution.
  It should be understood that the ration and supply system is not rigidly utilitarian as many impractical items requiring a large expenditure of credit are allowed upon request. For an example, flying cars are goods which takes up a great amount of transport space but only benefits a few. Because fly driving brings enjoyment and convenience to its owner, cars are accepted to be a necessary luxury and every few months freighters bring in new supplies or parts. Although company executives are given priority access, a growing number of ordinary colonists can be seen flying
their own vehicles.
 A trade of second hand goods helps to partially offset the occasional shortfall in consumer goods. Colonists waiting to return to Earth would offload parts of their personal belongings as a limited weight load is permitted on the return voyage. Unlike those on Earth, retail stores typically buy and refurbish used goods. Direct exchange between colonists is also permitted. Trades involving cash, even though refused by the bank, may still take place through the use of official promissory notes between the seller and buyer. These can then be exchanged for cash once one party returns to Earth.
 Social life on the colony is said to be active and satisfying. The majority of the workforce is young and unattached and are eager to engaged with others. Social dances, bowling nights, swim parties and roller skating are popular group activities. Romance is not discouraged by authorities unless it becomes a distraction that affects productivity. Participation in amateur sports is promoted. Larger communities and corporations maintain amateur baseball and football teams. The current societal norm places great emphasis upon community conformity supported by the unrestricted use of security cameras by the authorities.
 Crime is well controlled on the colony. Prompt removal of problematic persons is the job of the local constabulary. Persons convicted of a serious criminal offence will be returned to Earth as soon as possible for imprisonment. They will also be blacklisted and denied travel access to all off world stations. Those convicted of a lesser offence can expect increase monitoring of their activities until reasonably good faith is re-established with the authorities. Executions of rogue robots (those deemed too intelligent for their own good) are televised live and always draw a big viewing audience.
  Each colonist must exercise their right and freedom to work productively at their job. Anyone failing to meet their contractual obligations are detained until a new occupation is assigned. A second failure will result in a second detention, black listing and then removal from the colony. Deportation is always charged to the detained person. A typical one way fare to Earth will cost the average worker on Earth, a quarter of his annual salary. Even given the high average wages earn on a space colony, the ticket price acts as a deterrent to slackers.
 Good health service is an required component for all space travel and settlement given the inherent rigours and dangers. Planet 51 boasts several health centres that offer a full complement of medical and health services. Surgery, dentistry and cellular rejuvenation are but a few named services enjoyed by the colonists. Funded largely between the giant corporations and government, the colonist is still expected to defray a small fraction of the cost via their personal health insurance. A proud medical milestone was recently achieved following a string of successful births.
 Sadly despite the remarkable advancements in health science, natural death is inevitable. The pre-deceased can draw some comfort that their remains will benefit their survivors as it is recycled into the colony's food chain. Many even choose to have their favourite pet(s) euthanize at the same time in order to enhance their joy of having their close companion in life minced in unison beyond death.

[Mason]

Very good.
You seem to be having as much fun with the background as you are with the model-making.
 

[Eric the Shed]

Just discovered this thread and you have blown my little socks off...

This is fantastic...just love the Supermarket ! (I used to work for Safeway before taken over by Morrisons - so the nostalgia affect was wonderful)

Thank you for sharing - are you blogging about this as well?

[commissarmoody]

Wonderful! You need a unified-universal church so that the colonists can  still practices there strange antiquated religions.  

[monkeylite]

Wow, that's amazing. That might be the best table I've ever seen.

[Aquamarine]

Thanks for all the replies and views.
 In the fantastic future, gravity repulsive cars combine the joy of driving with that of flying. Robotic service and fuel stations ensure that car servicing is efficient and honest.
 

[URL=http://s917.photobucket.com/user/Planetoid51/media/image_zpss5ea1vl9.jpeg.html]

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[von Lucky]

Lovely colours and shapes - the painting on the taxi is particularly effective in setting the scene.

[uti long smile]

Great additions, but the whole thread is magnificent.

[gamer Mac]

Great stuff
Where do you get your inspiration from?

[Dr. Zombie]

Sweet Jebus

This is beyond brilliant

[zizi666]

Brilliant (both the idea and the execution of it)