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[[File:Terraforming projection.jpg|thumb|A thirty-year projection of terraforming [[Velara III]]]]
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[[File:Terraforming projection.jpg|thumb|A thirty-year projection of terraforming Velara III]]
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{{aquote|It's an amazing talent, bringing dead worlds to life. But humility and common sense aren't exactly part of the job description.|[[Jadzia Dax]]|2370|Second Sight}}
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'''Terraforming''' is the process of reshaping or otherwise modifying the [[ecology]] of a [[planet]] or [[moon]] to make it more habitable for life that depends on an environment much like [[Earth]]. As other cultures came into contact with [[Human]]s, they may have adopted the word into their language, or the [[universal translator]] may simply have translated their equivalent word into [[English]]. Hence, in its broadest sense, terraforming came to mean transforming the ecology of a planetary body such that those performing the procedure could live safely on the surface.
  
  +
'''Terraforming''' was the process of modifying the environment of a [[planet]] or [[moon]] to make it habitable for life. In practice, this often meant modifying the world to be more like [[class M]] planets. Individuals who oversaw the terraforming process were known as [[terraformer]]s.
   
−
Its converse is [[bioforming]].
 +
Its converse was [[bioforming]], which is the process of adapting a ''species'' biology and anatomy to the ''planet''. ({{VOY|Demon}})
   
  +
==Process==
⚫
===Terraforming projects===
  
  +
Terraforming began with selecting a [[planet]] which had the right mass, [[gravity]], rate of rotation, and balanced periods of day and night, and which were located in their sun's [[habitable zone]]. [[Federation]] efforts at terraforming were coordinated by [[Terraform Command]] and ensured both that there was no [[life]] on the planet, and that it would never naturally occur without outside interference. [[Terraforming station]]s would then be established.
−
*[[Blue Horizon]] ({{DS9|Second Sight}})
  
⚫
*[[Browder IV]] - a project that was assisted by the [[starship]]s {{USS|Hood|Excelsior class}} and {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}} in [[2366]] ({{TNG|Allegiance}})
  
−
*[[Caldos colony]] - established in the [[22nd century]] ({{TNG|Sub Rosa}})
  
⚫
*[[Doraf I]] - in [[2368]], the ''Enterprise''-D was scheduled to undertake a terraforming mission here ({{TNG|Unification I}})
  
−
*[[Epsilon 119]] - a dead [[star]] was reignited with [[protomatter]] in the first phase of creating a new [[star system]] ({{DS9|Second Sight}})
  
−
*[[Genesis (planet)|Genesis Planet]] - created in [[2285]] from the [[Mutara Nebula]], but destroyed as a result of the [[Genesis Device]], which contained [[protomatter]] ({{film|2}}; {{film|3}})
  
⚫
*[[Mars]] - as of [[2155]], conditions on Mars were sufficiently altered to allow Humans to survive on the surface by only having to use small breathing gear and thermal insulation ({{ENT|Demons}})
  
−
*[[Moab IV]] - site of the [[Genome colony]] ({{TNG|The Masterpiece Society}})
  
−
*[[New Halana]] ({{DS9|Second Sight}})
  
⚫
*[[Regula]] - a [[Class D]] [[planetoid]] whose interior was terraformed as the second phase of [[Project Genesis]] ({{film|2}})
  
⚫
*[[Velara III]] - site of the [[Velara Base]]; mission abandoned in [[2364]] after life was discovered on the planet ({{TNG|Home Soil}})
  
⚫
*[[Venus]] - site of several terraforming stations by the [[24th century]] ({{DS9|Past Tense, Part I}})
  
⚫
*[[Weytahn]] - a Class D planetoid terraformed by the [[Andorian]]s for habitation in the [[2050s]] ({{ENT|Cease Fire}})
  
   
  +
Next, [[water]] had to be be made available for life in water basins. This could be done using [[hydraulic landscaping]], sometimes with the additional step of filtering and re-[[oxygen]]ating the subsurface water, or by directing water-rich [[comet]]s into the planet's surface. If the water was hypersaline (meaning it had incredibly high [[salt]] content), portions of it could be desalinated to meet terrestrial and agricultural needs. Then, [[microorganism]]s were introduced as the first constituents of the [[biosphere]] permitting its atmosphere into self-sustaining oxygen production. As the biosphere expanded, higher order plants were introduced. One of the key metrics of the process being successful was monitoring the amount of vegetation on the planet.
⚫
===Terraforming technology===
  
  +
⚫
*[[Laser drill]]
  
  +
Industrial replicators would allow for manufacture of large volumes of volatile compounds and elements critical for life (Carbon dioxide, Nitrogen, Ammonia, methane, etc). Terraformers accelerated the process; as of [[2364]], it would only would take around 30 years to build a habitable world, compared to millions or billions of years in nature. ({{TNG|The Battle}} ''display graphic'', {{e|Home Soil}}, {{ENT|Demons|Terra Prime}})
−
*[[Universal atmospheric element compensator]]
  
  +
−
*{{USS|Strata}}
  
  +
Terraforming could also be done on a smaller scale to correct an imbalance in a planet's geosphere or climate. For example, in [[2370]] the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}} participated in re-heating [[Atrea IV]]'s [[planetary core]], thus permitting the world to continue to harbor life. ({{TNG|Inheritance}})
  +
  +
==History==
  +
===Pre-Federation===
  +
[[File:Verteron array.jpg|thumb|The verteron array on Mars in 2155]]
  +
In the [[2050s]], the [[class D]] planet [[Weytahn]] was terraformed by the [[Andorian Empire]] to serve as a colony. The process was apparently completed by [[2097]]. ({{ENT|Cease Fire}})
  +
  +
Among [[Human]]ity's first terraforming projects was [[Mars]] in the [[Sol system]]. A [[verteron array]] located near [[Utopia Colony]] would periodically redirect comets such as {{dis|Burke|comet}} into the ice caps, releasing trapped [[carbon dioxide]] and adding water. By [[2155]], the planet's [[atmosphere]] had been thickened enough that pressure gear was not required for [[humanoid]]s to survive in the Martian lowlands, although [[thermal garment]]s and a supply of [[oxygen]] were still necessary. ({{ENT|Demons|Terra Prime}})
  +
  +
{{bginfo|It is unclear to what degree Mars was terraformed at the time of its [[Attack on Mars|destruction]] in [[2385]], as it still had its distinctive red appearance. ({{ST|Children of Mars}}; {{PIC|Remembrance}})}}
  +
  +
At some point prior to [[2367]], the reclusive [[Paxan]]s terraformed a [[protoplanet]] in the [[Ngame Nebula]] to serve as [[Paxan homeworld|a new homeworld]], far from prying eyes. ({{TNG|Clues}})
  +
  +
An ancient [[generation ship]], discovered sometime prior to [[2380]], stored large quantities of a [[terraforming emulsion]] that could transform [[inorganic material]] into a living ecosystem. It was theorized that this fluid would have been used to terraform the ship's target planet upon arrival, but an unknown calamity disabled the ship and killed its crew before it could arrive, leaving it to drift in space for centuries. ({{LD|Moist Vessel}})
  +
  +
===Federation===
  +
One of the {{Federation}}' first terraforming projects was [[Caldos]], which was terraformed in the [[23rd century]]. The [[Caldos colony]], located in the northern hemisphere, was intended to evoke the [[Scottish Highlands]]. The Federation installed a [[weather control system]] for controlling the planet's [[weather]], [[seismic stabilizer]]s for stabilizing the planet's [[geology]], so that the colony did not experience [[earthquake]]s, and [[Nuclear fusion|fusion]] systems for powering the colony. ({{TNG|Sub Rosa}})
  +
  +
In [[2257]], the {{USS|Discovery}} rapidly terraformed a [[class 4 moon]], [[Delta 2]], by cultivating ''[[Prototaxites stellaviatori]]'' in order to replenish the vessel's supply of spores. ({{DIS|The War Without, The War Within}})
  +
  +
[[File:Genesis2285.jpg|thumb|The Genesis planet, shortly after its formation in 2285]]
  +
In the [[2280s]], [[Project Genesis]], a team led by [[Doctor|Dr.]] [[Carol Marcus]], developed the [[Genesis Device]], a torpedo that could transform a barren world into a habitable one almost instantaneously by reducing it to subatomic [[particle]]s, then reassembling them according to the pre-programmed Genesis matrix. So powerful was the device that its detonation during the [[Battle of the Mutara Nebula]] in [[2285]] created a new planet, {{dis|Genesis|planet}}, using nothing but material from the [[Mutara Nebula]] and the remains of the {{USS|Reliant}}. While the planet was indeed habitable, it fell apart months later due to the use of [[protomatter]] in the Genesis matrix, and the technology was abandoned. ({{film|2}}, {{film|3}})
  +
  +
[[Professor]] [[Gideon Seyetik]] was among the Federation's most renowned terraformers during the [[24th century]], having been involved in the transformation of [[Blue Horizon]] and [[New Halana]]. ({{DS9|Second Sight}})
  +
  +
Numerous planets were undergoing terraformation in the late-24th century, such as [[Venus]], [[Browder IV]], and [[Doraf I]]. [[Starfleet]] vessels were sometimes sent on [[terraforming mission]]s to assist with these efforts. ({{TNG|Allegiance|Unification I|Second Chances}}; {{DS9|Past Tense, Part I}}) The terraforming of [[Velara III]] was abandoned in [[2364]] after sentient "[[microbrain]]s" were discovered on the planet, who would have been rendered extinct by the continuation of the project. ({{TNG|Home Soil}})
  +
  +
==Examples==
  +
{| class="grey"
  +
! Name
  +
! Status
  +
! Notes
  +
|-
  +
| [[Atrea IV]]
  +
| Completed ([[2370]])
  +
| A [[class M]] planet, while not terraformed per se, it was in the midst of a [[planetary core]] cooldown. The {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}} participated in re-heating the planet's core, thus permitting the world to continue to harbor life. ({{TNG|Inheritance}})
  +
|-
  +
| [[Blue Horizon]]
  +
| Completed (pre-[[2369]])
  +
| Terraformed by [[Professor]] [[Gideon Seyetik]]. He considered its [[Da Vinci Falls]] his "crowning glory". ({{DS9|Second Sight}})
  +
|-
  +
| [[Browder IV]]
  +
| In progress ([[2366]])
  ⚫
| A project that was assisted by the [[starship]]s {{USS|Hood|Excelsior class}} and USS ''Enterprise''-D in 2366. ({{TNG|Allegiance}})
  +
|-
  +
| [[Caldos]]
  +
| Completed (mid-to-late [[23rd century]])
  +
| One of the Federation's first major terraforming projects. Site of [[Caldos colony]], which was intended to evoke the [[Scottish Highlands]]. ({{TNG|Sub Rosa}})
  +
|-
  +
| [[Delta 2]]
  +
| Completed ([[2257]])
  +
| A [[class 4 moon]] rapidly terraformed with ''[[Prototaxites stellaviatori]]'' in order to replenish the {{USS|Discovery}}'s supply of spores. ({{DIS|The War Without, The War Within}})
  +
|-
  +
| [[Doraf I]]
  +
| In progress ([[2368]])
  ⚫
| The ''Enterprise''-D was scheduled to undertake a [[terraforming mission]] here in 2368. ({{TNG|Unification I}})
  +
|-
  +
| {{dis|Genesis|planet}}
  +
| Completed ([[2285]])<br/>Destroyed (2285)
  +
| Created in 2285 by the detonation of the [[Genesis Device]] at the end of the [[Battle of the Mutara Nebula]]. Though initially habitable, it ultimately destroyed itself later that year as a result of the [[protomatter]] used in its creation. ({{film|2}}; {{film|3}})
  +
|-
  +
| A location in the [[Lagana sector]]
  +
| In progress ([[2368]])
  +
| The {{USS|Gandhi}} undertook a terraforming mission here in 2368. ({{TNG|Second Chances}})
  +
|-
  +
| [[Mars]]
  +
| In progress ([[2155]])
  ⚫
| As of 2155, conditions on Mars were sufficiently altered to allow [[Human]]s to survive on the surface by only having to use small breathing gear and thermal insulation. ({{ENT|Demons|Terra Prime}})
  +
|-
  +
| [[Maxia Zeta III]]
  +
| rowspan="2" | Pending ([[2355]])
  +
| rowspan="2" | Marked as candidates for terraforming by the {{USS|Stargazer}} in 2355. ({{TNG|The Battle}} ''display graphic'')
  +
|-
  +
| [[Maxia Zeta IV]]
  +
|-
  +
| [[New Halana]]
  +
| Completed (pre-[[2367]])
  +
| Terraformed by [[Professor]] [[Gideon Seyetik]] for a [[Halanan]] [[colony]]. He would later describe the final result as a "paradise". ({{DS9|Second Sight}})
  +
|-
  +
| [[Paxan homeworld]]
  +
| Completed (pre-[[2367]])
  +
| A [[protoplanet]] orbiting a [[T-Tauri type]] star. Terraformed by the [[Paxan]]s to serve as their adopted homeworld.
  +
|-
  +
| [[Penthara IV]]
  +
| Completed ([[2368]])
  +
| Terraformed by the ''Enterprise''-D in 2368 to counter an ecological disaster. ({{TNG|A Matter of Time}})
  +
|-
  +
| [[Regula]]
  +
| Completed ([[2285]])
  ⚫
| While the surface was left desolate, the [[class D]] [[planetoid]]'s interior was partially terraformed as the second phase of [[Project Genesis]]. ({{film|2}})
  +
|-
  +
| [[Velara III]]
  +
| Abandoned ([[2364]])
  ⚫
| Site of the [[Velara Base]]. Mission abandoned in [[2364]] after sentient "[[microbrain]]s" were discovered on the planet, who would have been rendered [[extinct]] by the terraforming process. ({{TNG|Home Soil}})
  +
|-
  +
| [[Venus]]
  +
| In progress ([[2371]])
  ⚫
| Site of several [[terraforming station]]s as of 2371. ({{DS9|Past Tense, Part I}})
  +
|-
  +
| [[Weytahn]]
  +
| Completed (pre-[[2097]])
  ⚫
| A class D planet, terraformed by the [[Andorian Empire]] for habitation in the [[2050s]]. The planet had a breathable atmosphere but appeared largely desolate as of [[2152]]. ({{ENT|Cease Fire}})
  +
|}
  +
  +
==Technology==
 
*[[Genesis Device]]
  
*[[Genesis Device]]
  +
*[[Geo-terraforming vessel]]
  ⚫
*[[Laser drill]]
  ⚫
*[[Terraforming emulsion]]
  ⚫
*[[Terraforming station]]
  +
{{bginfo|The [[universal atmospheric element compensator]] might also be a terraforming device.}}
  +
  +
==See also==
  +
*[[Artificial biosphere]]
  +
*[[Terraforming mission]]
   
 
==External links==
  
==External links==
−
* {{NCwiki}}
 +
* {{mbeta}}
 
* {{Wikipedia}}
  
* {{Wikipedia}}
  +
   
 
[[de:Terraforming]]
  
[[de:Terraforming]]
 
[[ja:テラフォーミング]]
  
[[ja:テラフォーミング]]
 
[[nl:Terravorming]]
  
[[nl:Terravorming]]
  +
[[ru:Терраформирование]]
 
[[Category:Academic disciplines]]
  
[[Category:Academic disciplines]]
−
[[Category:Geoscience]]
 +
[[Category:Geography]]

Revision as of 15:59, 4 October 2020

Terraforming projection

A thirty-year projection of terraforming Velara III

"It's an amazing talent, bringing dead worlds to life. But humility and common sense aren't exactly part of the job description."

Terraforming was the process of modifying the environment of a planet or moon to make it habitable for life. In practice, this often meant modifying the world to be more like class M planets. Individuals who oversaw the terraforming process were known as terraformers.

Its converse was bioforming, which is the process of adapting a species biology and anatomy to the planet. (VOY: "Demon")

Process

Terraforming began with selecting a planet which had the right mass, gravity, rate of rotation, and balanced periods of day and night, and which were located in their sun's habitable zone. Federation efforts at terraforming were coordinated by Terraform Command and ensured both that there was no life on the planet, and that it would never naturally occur without outside interference. Terraforming stations would then be established.

Next, water had to be be made available for life in water basins. This could be done using hydraulic landscaping, sometimes with the additional step of filtering and re-oxygenating the subsurface water, or by directing water-rich comets into the planet's surface. If the water was hypersaline (meaning it had incredibly high salt content), portions of it could be desalinated to meet terrestrial and agricultural needs. Then, microorganisms were introduced as the first constituents of the biosphere permitting its atmosphere into self-sustaining oxygen production. As the biosphere expanded, higher order plants were introduced. One of the key metrics of the process being successful was monitoring the amount of vegetation on the planet.

Industrial replicators would allow for manufacture of large volumes of volatile compounds and elements critical for life (Carbon dioxide, Nitrogen, Ammonia, methane, etc). Terraformers accelerated the process; as of 2364, it would only would take around 30 years to build a habitable world, compared to millions or billions of years in nature. (TNG: "The Battle" display graphic, "Home Soil", ENT: "Demons", "Terra Prime")

Terraforming could also be done on a smaller scale to correct an imbalance in a planet's geosphere or climate. For example, in 2370 the USS Enterprise-D participated in re-heating Atrea IV's planetary core, thus permitting the world to continue to harbor life. (TNG: "Inheritance")

History

Pre-Federation

Verteron array

The verteron array on Mars in 2155

In the 2050s, the class D planet Weytahn was terraformed by the Andorian Empire to serve as a colony. The process was apparently completed by 2097. (ENT: "Cease Fire")

Among Humanity's first terraforming projects was Mars in the Sol system. A verteron array located near Utopia Colony would periodically redirect comets such as Burke into the ice caps, releasing trapped carbon dioxide and adding water. By 2155, the planet's atmosphere had been thickened enough that pressure gear was not required for humanoids to survive in the Martian lowlands, although thermal garments and a supply of oxygen were still necessary. (ENT: "Demons", "Terra Prime")

It is unclear to what degree Mars was terraformed at the time of its destruction in 2385, as it still had its distinctive red appearance. (ST: "Children of Mars"; PIC: "Remembrance")

At some point prior to 2367, the reclusive Paxans terraformed a protoplanet in the Ngame Nebula to serve as a new homeworld, far from prying eyes. (TNG: "Clues")

An ancient generation ship, discovered sometime prior to 2380, stored large quantities of a terraforming emulsion that could transform inorganic material into a living ecosystem. It was theorized that this fluid would have been used to terraform the ship's target planet upon arrival, but an unknown calamity disabled the ship and killed its crew before it could arrive, leaving it to drift in space for centuries. (LD: "Moist Vessel")

Federation

One of the United Federation of Planets' first terraforming projects was Caldos, which was terraformed in the 23rd century. The Caldos colony, located in the northern hemisphere, was intended to evoke the Scottish Highlands. The Federation installed a weather control system for controlling the planet's weather, seismic stabilizers for stabilizing the planet's geology, so that the colony did not experience earthquakes, and fusion systems for powering the colony. (TNG: "Sub Rosa")

In 2257, the USS Discovery rapidly terraformed a class 4 moon, Delta 2, by cultivating Prototaxites stellaviatori in order to replenish the vessel's supply of spores. (DIS: "The War Without, The War Within")

Genesis2285

The Genesis planet, shortly after its formation in 2285

In the 2280s, Project Genesis, a team led by Dr. Carol Marcus, developed the Genesis Device, a torpedo that could transform a barren world into a habitable one almost instantaneously by reducing it to subatomic particles, then reassembling them according to the pre-programmed Genesis matrix. So powerful was the device that its detonation during the Battle of the Mutara Nebula in 2285 created a new planet, Genesis, using nothing but material from the Mutara Nebula and the remains of the USS Reliant. While the planet was indeed habitable, it fell apart months later due to the use of protomatter in the Genesis matrix, and the technology was abandoned. (Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock)

Professor Gideon Seyetik was among the Federation's most renowned terraformers during the 24th century, having been involved in the transformation of Blue Horizon and New Halana. (DS9: "Second Sight")

Numerous planets were undergoing terraformation in the late-24th century, such as Venus, Browder IV, and Doraf I. Starfleet vessels were sometimes sent on terraforming missions to assist with these efforts. (TNG: "Allegiance", "Unification I", "Second Chances"; DS9: "Past Tense, Part I") The terraforming of Velara III was abandoned in 2364 after sentient "microbrains" were discovered on the planet, who would have been rendered extinct by the continuation of the project. (TNG: "Home Soil")

Examples

Name Status Notes
Atrea IV Completed (2370) A class M planet, while not terraformed per se, it was in the midst of a planetary core cooldown. The USS Enterprise-D participated in re-heating the planet's core, thus permitting the world to continue to harbor life. (TNG: "Inheritance")
Blue Horizon Completed (pre-2369) Terraformed by Professor Gideon Seyetik. He considered its Da Vinci Falls his "crowning glory". (DS9: "Second Sight")
Browder IV In progress (2366) A project that was assisted by the starships USS Hood and USS Enterprise-D in 2366. (TNG: "Allegiance")
Caldos Completed (mid-to-late 23rd century) One of the Federation's first major terraforming projects. Site of Caldos colony, which was intended to evoke the Scottish Highlands. (TNG: "Sub Rosa")
Delta 2 Completed (2257) A class 4 moon rapidly terraformed with Prototaxites stellaviatori in order to replenish the USS Discovery's supply of spores. (DIS: "The War Without, The War Within")
Doraf I In progress (2368) The Enterprise-D was scheduled to undertake a terraforming mission here in 2368. (TNG: "Unification I")
Genesis Completed (2285)
Destroyed (2285) 		Created in 2285 by the detonation of the Genesis Device at the end of the Battle of the Mutara Nebula. Though initially habitable, it ultimately destroyed itself later that year as a result of the protomatter used in its creation. (Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan; Star Trek III: The Search for Spock)
A location in the Lagana sector In progress (2368) The USS Gandhi undertook a terraforming mission here in 2368. (TNG: "Second Chances")
Mars In progress (2155) As of 2155, conditions on Mars were sufficiently altered to allow Humans to survive on the surface by only having to use small breathing gear and thermal insulation. (ENT: "Demons", "Terra Prime")
Maxia Zeta III Pending (2355) Marked as candidates for terraforming by the USS Stargazer in 2355. (TNG: "The Battle" display graphic)
Maxia Zeta IV
New Halana Completed (pre-2367) Terraformed by Professor Gideon Seyetik for a Halanan colony. He would later describe the final result as a "paradise". (DS9: "Second Sight")
Paxan homeworld Completed (pre-2367) A protoplanet orbiting a T-Tauri type star. Terraformed by the Paxans to serve as their adopted homeworld.
Penthara IV Completed (2368) Terraformed by the Enterprise-D in 2368 to counter an ecological disaster. (TNG: "A Matter of Time")
Regula Completed (2285) While the surface was left desolate, the class D planetoid's interior was partially terraformed as the second phase of Project Genesis. (Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan)
Velara III Abandoned (2364) Site of the Velara Base. Mission abandoned in 2364 after sentient "microbrains" were discovered on the planet, who would have been rendered extinct by the terraforming process. (TNG: "Home Soil")
Venus In progress (2371) Site of several terraforming stations as of 2371. (DS9: "Past Tense, Part I")
Weytahn Completed (pre-2097) A class D planet, terraformed by the Andorian Empire for habitation in the 2050s. The planet had a breathable atmosphere but appeared largely desolate as of 2152. (ENT: "Cease Fire")

Technology

The universal atmospheric element compensator might also be a terraforming device.

See also

External links

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