O’Neill Clusters

Groups of giant cylindrical habitats with rotationally-induced artificial gravity, large enough to sustain a microclimate.

Typical Specifications

• Average size: 8 km diameter × 40 km long
• Layout: Habitation and green space along inner wall, lit axle down center
• Variants: “Honeycomb” cylinders replace open sky with more living/industrial space

Why People Live Here

• Controlled environments
• Religious community
• Freedom from major powers
• Individual cylinders tend toward uniform culture; clusters are more diverse

Notable Clusters

Belt Cluster

The innermost middle cluster. Freedom-loving miners who trade with the middle system. Most cosmopolitan—foreign ships frequently dock here.

Alucorp Station: Founded by Alucorp at the barycenter of the densest asteroid group. Began as a dock with habitation module, grew into the metropolitan center of the Belt Cluster. Hotels, nightlife, corporate offices, consulates.

Tiān Cylinder: Constructed by the spacer union Hànzú Láodòng zhě (“Workers of the Han”). Chinese cultural heritage with evolved social conventions. Run by three prominent families.

Other Potential Clusters

• Religious cluster
• Harmony cluster (obsessed with perfect arrangement)
• Academy cluster (giant space-based university)