Goddard (star system)
| Goddard | |
|---|---|
| |
| Sector | Epsilon Sector |
| Quadrant | Deneb Quadrant |
| Locations | Goddard I, Goddard II |
| Jump Links | Gateway, Morpheus, Epsilon Prime, Ross 94F, Border Zone |
Goddard is a star system in the Epsilon Sector. It was a colony of the Terran Confederation that hosted at least two major planets, including Goddard I and Goddard II. It was named for the American scientist who invented the first liquid-fuel rocket in 1926, Robert H. Goddard.
Goddard II hosted 250,000 Confederation colonists prior to the year 2654. It included several major cities and was relatively peaceful during the Terran-Kilrathi War before its destruction. The system was also home to the Goddard Transfer Station.
In 2654, mere weeks after the conclusion of the Vega Sector Campaign, Goddard was attacked by a massive Kilrathi fleet wielding a new super-weapon, later identified as the Proton Accelerator Gun. The colony sent a distress call to the Confederation Space Navy before outside contact with the colony was lost. The TCS Tiger's Claw and all nearby vessels raced to Goddard's defense, only to discover that it was already too late. Goddard II was totally destroyed, with all 250,000 colonists and all visible signs of life eradicated. Also, the Kilrathi fleet had managed to escape to Imperial territory. The Confederation sent marines to search for survivors, but there were none to be found.
The disaster at Goddard prompted the Confederation to retaliate by assigning the Tiger's Claw to hunt down and destroy the Kilrathi fleet and its new super-weapon, initiating Operation Thor's Hammer. It was later discovered that Goddard was the test site for the Proton Accelerator Gun, which would have been to be used to cut a path for the Kilrathi all the way through to Earth. The plan failed as the Claw eventually tracked down and destroyed the Kilrathi fleet and the Proton Accelerator Gun.
The fallout resulting from the Goddard Disaster would not be realized for years to come. Among the victims of the disaster was the brother of Confederation pilot Zachary Colson. Colson firmly believed that the colony would have survived if the Claw had not delayed to attack a nearby Kilrathi troopship, so he betrayed the Confederation and assisted the Kilrathi in destroying the Claw in 2656. His campaign of treachery would last ten years before he was finally shot down and killed by Christopher Blair in 2668.
Notable Residents
- Eduardo Rosado inventor of the Neutron Gun
- Gordon E. Thorn developer of the Goddard Special beverage.
- Mechanic Zach Siegler, cousin to Sam (Deceased)
- Shuttle Pilot Trisha Siegler (Deceased)
- The Brother of Zachary Colson (Deceased)
