Summary:
The Heroic Age of Space Exploration, or the New Frontier Age for short, was an era of discovery lasting from 2060 to 2070 in which humanity, using the newly created Sakai Drive, cast out into the void of space and discovered rich new celestial bodies deeper into the universe beyond the Milky Way galaxy. It was the largest and most famous era of human history where humans were finally able to reach beyond the solar system and as a result, these explorers became some of the most famous humans in history. This era of discovery also prompted human corporations to turn space into a multi-trillion dollar industry.
History:
When mankind first came into contact with the Astreans in the early 2050's, there was much fear and uncertainty among world nations about who or what this new race was. Many feared the Astreans being a dangerous and violent race that would bring about the destruction of humanity, and destroy what remining resources Earth had left. However the Astreans on their part possessed no sort of imperialistic ideals or violent tendencies. Realizing that humans were also struggling against the Xenos as they were, the Astreans were open to communication with Earth.
Upon seeing that humanity lacked the means to travel between the stars, a group of Astrean scientist gifted a private space commission technology that would allow for interstellar travel as a sign of cooperation between the species. Using this technology, human scientist of the group were able to develop their own interstellar device.
Known as the Sakai Drive, named after its inventor Shintaro Sakai, this device is capable of launching spacecraft at faster-than-light speed and allows for accelerated travel between stars and planets. Allowing for humans to venture beyond the Sol system and Milky Way galaxy. The space commission first tested the device on a satellite in 2056 by sending it towards the Alpha Centauri system.
When the mission proved successful the group was met with wide praise and admiration from the scientific community around the world, as humanity now had actual photographic evidence of extrasolar planets. After several more tests the group eventually wished to push the boundary even further with the Celeste Initiative. With the goal of launching a human crewed spaceflight to the Alpha Centauri system and land on one of its planets.
The mission was an astounding success as Kazuto Ishikawa, a Norio pilot and astronaut of the commission who in 2058, became the first human to walk on an extrasolar planet. A world with a tropical-based climate.
It was the success of the Celeste Initiative that ushered in the Heroic Age of Space Exploration.
The years from 2060-2070 were also known as the Interstellar Years. During this period various private human spaceflight programs used the newly created Sakai Drive to explore the far reaches of deep space, pushing the horizon of humanity further. This era saw some of the most famous humans leave and return to a heart warming welcome by their fellow citizens. And a monument dedicated to them had been built in Germany.
Over 50 different planets and 30 moons were re-discovered during this time period, however of the 50 planets only 32 of them were ever landed on by humans. As the result of spaceflight fatalities and accidents amongst the others. These planets then became the home of research outposts and entire bases dedicated to further exploration.
One such base is Kansai Outpost located on the planet Hush, a lush world with a bioluminescent environment and ocean.
While these terrestrial worlds were ripe with new resources for humanity, there also existed worlds that were deemed too dangerous for humans to visit and land on. Worlds featuring toxic and hostile environments not meant for human life.
One such world was the planet Vulcan, named after the Roman god of fire due to its volcanic surface.
Despite its harsh environment, Katsumi Takeda became the first, and to date, the only human being to set foot on the planet. Achieving a record milestone for space explorers and becoming a celebrity both in Japan and abroad.