Based on and updates: http://www.geocities.com/allianceforprogress/encyclopedia/places/wrldrtng.html#A_Class
World leasehold ratings There are about 500 * 10^9 stars in the five galaxies. Among all these stars, only 2_810_000 planets naturally support life sufficiently complex that the planet is suitable for colonization. Fortunately, many planets have been terraformed over the ages and 16_900_000 are class B or C grade planets. A planet is normally only leased about 1/8 of the time. Most of a planet's life-span is spend in GIM enforced fallow. At any given time, 2_110_000 planets are leased from the Galactic Institute of Migration on class B, C, or Homeworld terms. Thus, the average O-2 citizen race has 10.6 planets on B, C, or Homeworld lease. A typical race might have 3 class B leaseholds, 5 class C leases, 1 class C leases of garden world quality, and a Homeworld. Races vary greatly in the degree that they use A-minus and A class leases. "A-minus" worlds: Any habitation on a planetary body should be leased from the GIM. Of course, most planets are not suitable for terraforming, let alone for immediate colonization. Leasing desert worlds, like Mars, greenhouse world, like Venus, iceball, rockball, and scorchball worlds is a formality. The only exception are when occupation of a desolate world might impinge on H-2 areas or, more rarely, encroach on a Machine Reserve Area. Triton like worlds are unusual because they are difficult to lease. "A" worlds: Planets largely devoid of life and requiring terraforming, but consequently free of most Institute of Tradition and Migration restrictions. In addition, A Class Leases are durable and negotiable. A race that successfully terraforms an A Class World can keep the world as long as it likes or transfer it to another race on Class C terms. Mars would not qualify as an "A" class world. It is too hostile to life and too difficult to terraform. "B" worlds: In O-2 space the standard remediation lease is called a Class-'B' leasehold and is issued for 50 KY. It is renewable. Progress in actively monitored by the GIM. Examples include Deemi and Garth. The GIM has trouble finding takers for B Class Leases. They are seen as involving a lot of risk and liability with relatively little prospect for reward. If bio-remediation fails the tenant might be subject to fines or other discipline. If it works, the GIM will probably let the leasehold end and return the planet to fallow status. Powerful races often try to persuade the GIM to issues leases to B grade worlds with either a Class A or Class C lease. Ready willingness to take on Class B leases in good faith is a sign of good citizenship. About 1/3 of all grade B and C planets are grade B. "C" worlds: Residence on Class C colony worlds is limited to no longer than 300 million years. This is the standard habitation permit issued by the G.I.M. for most O-2 planets with mature, stable biospheres. Unlike Class B leaseholds, Class C leaseholds are in short supply. Garden worlds: A semi-official classification designating particularly desirable Class "C" worlds. About 1/3 of all Class C worlds can be regarded as garden worlds. Garden worlds are in extremely short supply. Calafia and Earth are garden worlds, although most races would regard Calafia as having a shortage of dry land. Home worlds: Each species may designate a home world. Home world leaseholds last for the duration of a race's Main Sequence existence. Earth and Tymbrim are Home worlds. Class T lease: Occasionally a race fails to evacuate a leased world on time. In these cases the GIM often issues a "transition" lease. These leases last for 4,000 to 10,000 years. At the end of the lease the tenant is expected to have completely vacated the leased world. Because of irregularities stemming from pre-Contact colonization Humans have Class T leases on Atlast, Horst, and NuDawn. Deemi was originally leased as a Class T colony, but the lease was changed to Class B. --- Post-script: With the loss of Galaxy 4, the GIM now has jurisdiction over only 13_500_000 grade B and C worlds. No changes will be made to existing leases, but in the future fewer class C leases will be available. _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
