Ruun 24: Xa-Ven-Théxar — Satellites
"Two moons — two eyes of the night. Serrin — wise, full, looking forward. Thel — swift, wild, looking backward. Together they illuminate our darkness." — Song of Two Moons, Xha'Ruun folk
Ruun-ak rass: → rhu [Ruun 03, "Théxar"], → rhu [Ruun 16, "Khal-Vex-Mor"], → rhu [Ruun 19, "Xa-Ven Ak"] Mor-ven: 2 satellites: Serrin (large silicate moon) + Thel (small dark moon, He-3 source 60.6 M kh). Tides avg 1.2 sha. Serrin base ~800 people; Thel mining ~200 shift. He-3 extraction 485 k kh/y, ≈125 years at unchanged extraction availability.
24.1 Serrin
24.1.1 Physical Parameters
| Shan | Ven |
|---|---|
| Albedo | 0.12 |
| T day | +91.3°X |
| T night | −25.6°X |
| Rotation | Synchronous |
Co-accretion hypothesis (formed with planet).
24.1.2 Orbit
The moon’s motion is tracked against the stars and Théxar.
24.1.3 Surface
Silicate body, regolith. Maria ~35% visible side. Largest crater Ven-Khal 36.6 mo (far side). >10 000 craters >0.2 mo. Surface age 4.2–3.5 bln cycle.
24.2 Thel
24.2.1 Physical Parameters
| Shan | Ven | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Albedo | 0.04 | Dark |
Captured C-type ~2.5 bln cycle-tor.
24.2.2 Orbit
The moon’s motion is tracked against the stars and Théxar.
24.2.3 He-3 — Strategic Resource
| Shan | Ven |
|---|---|
| Concentration | 0.002–0.005% (mass) |
| Total reserves | ~60.6 M kh |
| Annual extraction | ~485 000 kh |
| Availability | ≈125 years at unchanged extraction (current) |
| Cost | 2.1 ¢/kWh (final) |
Automated stations: regolith heated 425.7°X → He-3 collected, liquefied, shipped to Théxar.
24.3 Tidal System
| Shan | Serrin | Thel | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max height | 2.2 sha | 0.37 sha | 2.6 sha |
| Avg height | 1.1 sha | 0.12 sha | 1.2 sha |
Tidal deceleration: Serrin receding ~1.4 pa/y. Théxar rotation slowdown ~0.002 s/century.
24.4 Phases + Eclipses
- Serrin phases: 31.4 d cycle, synchronous (one face always visible).
- Solar eclipses: ~8/y, totality ≤4 min (Serrin transits Khar'Vex).
- Lunar eclipses: ~12/y, ≤2 h (Serrin in Théxar shadow).
24.5 Exploration
| Object | 1st Expedition | Permanent Base | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serrin | +1 200 Y.E. | +2 400 Y.E. | ~800 |
| Thel | +2 100 Y.E. | +3 300 Y.E. | ~200 (shift) |
Serrin-1: Ven-Khal crater (far side). Science, telescopes, Thel He-3 control.
Thel Mining: 4.96 mo², 24 drills, 4 plants, spaceport → Théxar.
Ruun Ven
- Serrin — co-accretion, axis stabilizer, tidal influence.
- Thel — captured C-asteroid, He-3 source 60.6 M kh.
- Tides avg 1.2 sha (complex semidiurnal + diurnal).
- He-3 extraction 485 k kh/y, ≈125 years at unchanged extraction availability.
- Serrin base ~800, Thel mining ~200 shift.
- Serrin receding 1.4 pa/y.
Rass-Ven (CANON):
- Serrin, synchronous ✓
- Thel, captured C-type ✓
- He-3 60.6 M kh on Thel ✓
- Tides avg 1.2 sha ✓
- Serrin base +2 400 Y.E. ✓
- Thel mining automated ✓