The planetary system selected, Gliese-581, was virtually unknown before the launch of this project. Early in the 22nd century, researchers discovered that the star Gliese-581 was host to multiple planetary bodies, similar to and larger than Earth. The Unified Space Astronautics Research Institute launched multiple probes in the hope that they would eventually be able to send as much information as possible about this unique planetary system. Throughout the years, they discovered these planets possessed the needed elements to support life. No evidence of life has surfaced at this point, and no way to prove or disprove the hypothetical environmental conditions of these planets would be available until the probes launched years ago came within range of the system. Early in the year 2205, the first probe, launched early in 2101, was close enough to make observations that are more precise. The information relayed along a series of probes and satellites that launched at regular intervals, forming what became known as the intergalactic information superhighway. The initial readings confirmed four of the five planets possessed an atmosphere, and one of the five was a medium sized gas giant. The atmospheres around the four were oxygen rich, with traces of carbon dioxide and nitrogen. The temperature appeared to be in the habitable range for each, and oceans were present on three of the four. The third showed signs of liquid water but could not be determined if the quantities indicated the presence of an ocean. The USARI, along with the majority of the scientific community on earth suspected plant life to be plentiful given the environment. No evidence in the data collected showed that any intelligent life other than possible and even likely, animal life inhabited these planets. The ability to detect "intelligent civilization" was highly debated; however most admitted that it would be virtually impossible, given the current limitations, to detect an intelligent civilization that had not yet developed electronic technology. These elements made these planets the ideal candidate for colonization outside the Earth's solar system.
Eden announced Project Salvation publicly in 2215, to begin full-scale construction. Calls for volunteers went out first, seeking individuals that were willing to join the colonization effort and live on a generational starship. The foundation made considerable efforts to recruit family units, and young couples that have not yet had children. Applicants began lining up by the thousands, and by the hundreds turned away, due to the thorough screening process. The “passengers” underwent screening for physical and psychological problems, as well as genetically profiled for genetic defects and disease. The foundation indicated that it wanted to screen out possible genetic diseases from the ship’s population; it was later revealed that the eugenic theory behind the screening was not simply for the long-term health of the population on the ship, but was being used in secret and sinister cloning and genetic engineering projects. The extent of these practices was unknown for duration of the voyage, but was later uncovered during the colonization.
Five generations lived on the arc. In that time each passenger worked and earned a basic wage, except the children, they were educated full time until the rough age of 17. After the age of 17, they would enter into paid apprenticeships. The money, or credits, they earned could be used to barter for the moderate commodities that were sold and traded by many different merchants. In the early years of the voyage, the merchants were few, and they were all the same artisans that sold what they made, this dynamic developed over the years into a fully-fledged marketplace. Artisans of every skill were found onboard, due to the efforts of the passenger recruitment teams. They understood that without a skilled master to teach the next generation, these skills would likely be lost. These artisans were at first encouraged to take ordinary jobs until the ship’s infrastructure and a young population was established, this proved to take place much faster than anticipated, and most were returning to their chosen trade within the first five years. In later generations, many workers were able to survive entirely by producing only “luxury” items. By the time the fifth generation was born, there was a fully functional marketplace, economy, rudimentary government, and judicial system; with all the inherent problems that come with them.
Five generations lived on the arc. In that time each passenger worked and earned a basic wage, except the children, they were educated full time until the rough age of 17. After the age of 17, they would enter into paid apprenticeships. The money, or credits, they earned could be used to barter for the moderate commodities that were sold and traded by many different merchants. In the early years of the voyage, the merchants were few, and they were all the same artisans that sold what they made, this dynamic developed over the years into a fully-fledged marketplace. Artisans of every skill were found onboard, due to the efforts of the passenger recruitment teams. They understood that without a skilled master to teach the next generation, these skills would likely be lost. These artisans were at first encouraged to take ordinary jobs until the ship’s infrastructure and a young population was established, this proved to take place much faster than anticipated, and most were returning to their chosen trade within the first five years. In later generations, many workers were able to survive entirely by producing only “luxury” items. By the time the fifth generation was born, there was a fully functional marketplace, economy, rudimentary government, and judicial system; with all the inherent problems that come with them.
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