Pell

Location

The Pell System includes the only Starstation that was updated to the era of Faster-than-Light (FTL) travel and controlled by the newly founded Alliance when hostilities were officially ended with Union and the Earth Company (at the Treaty of Pell in 2354 CE). Pell Station orbits the planet ("Downbelow") of the native Downers (who call themselves "Hisa" -- "down" in Mandarin Chinese) which, in turn, orbits Tau Ceti.

Since Tau Ceti (G8Vp) is dimmer than Sol (G2V), the distance from the star where an Earth-type planet would be "comfortable" with liquid water is centered around only 0.68 AU -- at about the orbital distance of cloud-shrouded Venus in the Solar System. At that distance from the star, such a planet would have an orbital period of about 228 days -- less than two-thirds of an Earth year. Astronomers would find such a planet very difficult to detect using present methods.

Chronology

2093 - ECS10 Challenger delivers Pell station module to Tau Ceti.  Station 
           discovers aliens (Hisa) on Downbelow.

2116 - Trade agreement with Hisa to supply foodstuffs like grain and 
           fibers in exchange for medical help and other gifts.

2118 - Second station module built; system rich in metals as well as life.

2133 - Viking station module launched with ECS9 Beagle.

2169 - Mariner station module launched with ECS9 Beagle.

2269 - FTLECS1 Gaia converted and re-launched as first FTL Pell ship.

2281 - Finity's End is launched as an armed, FTL merchant freighter.

2352 - Refugees arrive from Mariner, Russell's, Esperance, and Pan-Paris.

2353 - Merchanters' Alliance claims star system after the Battle of Pell.

2354 - Treaty of Pell ends Company War; Alliance claims Hinder Stars.