In FydeOS v18: Prosperous Aftermath, our cosmic drifter crash-landed on a lush, thriving planet — a world teeming with life, seemingly marking the dawn of a new chapter for humanity. But the path of human exploration through the universe is rarely so straightforward. Vast emptiness and desolation are far more familiar companions than the rare paradise. And so, we created FydeOS v19: Desolate Frontier.
The return capsule touches down. The air is thin. All around lies a vast, barren wasteland — cold, silent, untouched, except for a thin fog clinging to frozen patches of yellow-green ice. On this forsaken planet, time itself seems to lose meaning. Loneliness is the only constant companion. This time, there is no raw, vibrant life—only the desolate edge of the universe, the true frontier.
You may find echoes of Sam, the solitary figure from Duncan Jones' 2009 film Moon, stationed at a remote lunar base. Over time, Sam uncovers unsettling truths about his existence, confronting the profound loneliness that creeps in when all human connection seems lost. His story isn't just about survival — it's the quiet resilience of facing the unknown, a reflection of how our journey into the stars is as much about inner discovery as it is about finding a new home.
Our inspiration also came from Douglas Adams' timeless classic The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, which reminds us, with both humour and melancholy, of our place in the cosmos. In a universe so vast, where our individual significance feels fleeting, how do we reconcile with the weight of existence? As Arthur Dent famously said, "The chances of finding out what's really going on in the universe are so remote, the only thing to do is hang the sense of it and keep yourself occupied."
"Don't panic," Douglas Adams advises us. Whether you're navigating a vibrant galaxy or standing alone on a desolate frontier, it's this simple, enduring wisdom that guides us through the darkest of unknowns.
Our cosmic drifter is still here, quietly repairing his return capsule. His journey doesn't end on this cold, lifeless world. Perhaps, next time, he will land on a new world, one brimming with life. The starlight may be faint, but it's enough to illuminate every step forward.
On 13 Oct 2024, with the remarkable success of recovering Booster 12 "Super Heavy" in SpaceX's Starship flight test 5, we are one step closer in this journey.