Reading is a Core Systems-aligned planet in the Thames System of Manticore Sector.
Planetary Data
Geographic Data
Reading is an airless rock the size of Mars, with sizable water ice caps at its poles. Atmospheric pressure is approximately zero. Surface water coverage is perhaps 39%, in icecap form.
Demographics
Reading has a permanent population of only 300,000 for the most part, but as the main Republic armed forces training facility in Manticore Sector, there can be as many as 19 million people on the planet at one time.
Economics
Reading has no important economic products.
Politics
Reading is essentially a federal territory, akin to Santroux's status on Lemartes - as such, its government is that of the Core Systems Free Republic. In a looser definition, however, it is overseen by the Armed Forces Training Advisory Board, a collection of high-ranking Naval, Army and Marine officers who act as the chancellery for the Academy. All activities on the surface are strictly curtailed, and even off-planet civilians are only permitted into certain areas at certain times.
Travellers' Information
Advisories
There is no formal travel advisory in place for Planet Reading, but there is little to recommend it to travellers.
Travellers' Resources
Reading has an orbital Naval base, Fort Montag, capable of berthing naval vessels of up to Arthur K. Ramsgott-class dreadnoughts (or theoretically larger ships, provided a compatible docking port exists) in size, as well as the ability to carry the whole of the Manticore Sector Fleet's escort vessels inside its cavernous interior docking bays. Civilian access is more restricted, with a single Class-B landing facility on the surface. There is a single Republic Justice Department office on planet to interface with the armed forces courts when military justice cases arise.
Destinations
Reading is within range of the following systems (for a ship equipped with a Jump-2 enabling drive):
- Hudson System (Jump-1)
- Hudson C666644-D Ga, Ri Consulate, TAS
- Danube System (Jump-2)
- Vienna A78A9A7-D Hi, Ht Consulate, Research, Scout, TAS
- Ganges System (Jump-2)
- Mumbai C300586-D Na, Va TAS
- Mississippi System (Jump-2)
- Lemartes D481648-4 Lt, Po Scout
- Nile System (Jump-2)
- Hathor C985696-8 Ag Pirate, Scout, TAS Amber
- Tath System, Phoenix Sector (Jump-2)
- Tathnel A55A315-C Lo, Wa Consulate, Naval, Research, TAS
- Tigris System (Jump-1)
- Eridu DABAAAB-B Fl, Wa Scout Amber