Uranus (Outer Planets Trilogy Book 1)

Uranus is the first book in Ben Bova's Outer Planets trilogy, continuing his exploration of humanity's future in a settled Solar System. The story takes place on Haven, a privately financed orbital habitat above the planet Uranus. Kyle Umber, a religious idealist, built Haven as a sanctuary for Earth's disadvantaged—the tired, sick, and poor—seeking spiritual peace and refuge. However, the billionaire who financed Haven has different intentions: to use the habitat, beyond the reach of inner planet laws, as a center for illegal activities including narcotics, prostitution, and hunting human prey. Complications arise when a scientist arrives with funding from the Inner Planets to launch probes into Uranus's oceans in search of life. His presence brings money and prestige but also journalists and government oversight—unwelcome attention for those running Haven. The result is a three-way struggle for control between political idealism, pragmatic illegal methods, and scientific inquiry. This edition is sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.