Mersiapedia

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======Vayr======

Vayr is the fifth largest of [[Bax|Bax's]] moons and the smallest of the Baxian Quintet, with a mass 0.52 times that of [[Mersia]]. It is a rocky planet with a high iron content in its core, resulting in an unusually small diameter for its mass, and giving it a surface gravity of 7.8 m/s^2. The planet has unusually complex geology, with an intricate system of caves permeating its crust. It has a relatively thick atmosphere of 72% nitrogen, 26% oxygen, 1% argon, and 1% trace gases including carbon dioxide, water vapor, and hydrogen. It is close enough to Bax that it receives a significant amount of radiation from its surface at all times, resulting in an average surface temperature of 63 F. 

====Suitability for Habitation====

Unmanned explorations of Vayr have revealed the presence of both Uranium and Thorium ores. It is a candidate for manned exploration due to its breathable atmosphere, relatively stable temperature, and availability of the caves for shelter when Bax approaches Eliar. It may be possible to establish a permanent colony here, using the relatively abundant uranium and thorium to generate electricity for the colony in place of stellar power. Unsatha remains a better candidate for establishing a second civilization, but Vayr may be used both as a mining base, and as a mid-point for future missions outside of the Ixar system, providing both a surface with lower gravitational forces and a ready source of gravitational assists in the nearby Bax.