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{{retitle|''{{PAGENAME}}''}}
{{Infobox Object
{{Infobox Object
|image = [[Image:St--4c01.jpg|250px]]
|name        = ''{{PAGENAME}}''
|Object name = Nerva Beacon/Space Station Nerva
|image       = Nerva Beacon.jpg
|type = warning beacon/space station "life boat"
|aka        = Space Dock Nerva, Space Station Nerva, Nerva, the Ark
|origin = [[Human]]s
|type       = [[Space station]]
|appearances = <ul><li>[[DW]]:''[[The Ark in Space]]''<li>[[DW]]: ''[[Revenge of the Cybermen]]''
|origin     = [[Sol system]]
|made by    = [[Human]]s
|used by    = Humans, [[Cyberman|Cybermen]], [[Wirrn]]
|first cs    = The Ark in Space (TV story)
|appearances = {{appears}}
|clip        = The Human Species - The Ark In Space - Doctor Who - BBC
}}
}}
The '''Nerva Beacon''' (later just called ''Nerva'' and nicknamed ''The Ark'') was a [[space station]] located in the [[Sol System]].
The '''''Nerva Beacon''''', later known as '''the Ark''' or '''Terra Nova''', was a [[space station]] located in the [[Sol System]].


==History==
== Name ==
[[Fourth Doctor|The Doctor]] thought that the station (or parts of it) were built in the late [[29th century|29th]] or early [[30th century]].
Early in its history, the [[space station]] was known as Space Dock Nerva. ([[AUDIO]]: {{cs|Destination: Nerva (audio story)}})


The original purpose of the space station was to act as a beacon (hence the name) to warn [[spacecraft]] about the [[planetoid]] [[Voga]]. It was, at that time, operated by the [[Interplanetary Space Command]], which assigned the Beacon the mission of orbiting the [[planetoid]] [[Voga]] (which in turn orbited the [[planet]] [[Jupiter]] for thirty years so as to aid the navigation of [[spacecraft]] traveling near Jupiter.
The station was known as the Nerva Beacon ([[TV]]: {{cs|Revenge of the Cybermen (TV story)}}) by the late [[25th century]] ([[AUDIO]]: {{cs|The Cyber Nomads (audio story)}}) and remained so in the [[61st century]]. ([[AUDIO]]: {{cs|Last Words (audio story)}})


Nerva had a [[transmat]] link to the breathable interior of the planetoid. Nerva was apparently struck by a plague that wiped out nearly all of the 50-strong ISC crew. Only three of the crew (Commander [[Stevenson]], [[Lester]] and [[Warner]]) and one observer survived. It was soon discovered that the plague was in reality an infection spread by an invading [[Mondasian Cyberman|Cybermen]] who planned to destroy Voga. ([[DW]]: [[Revenge of the Cybermen]])([[DW]]: ''[[Revenge of the Cybermen]]'')
In [[6087]], the [[Earth High Minister]] referred to the station as Space Station Nerva, a name which [[Vira]] used once she awoke in [[16087]]. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Ark in Space (TV story)}}) This was also the name [[Vural]] knew it by. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Sontaran Experiment (TV story)}}) It was also known as the Ark. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Ark in Space (TV story)}})


The Beacon was moved to [[Earth orbit]], where it now acted as a [[cryogenic]] storage facility, Nicknamed ''"The Ark"''. Scientists had foreseen that for 5000 years the Earth would become uninhabitable due to [[Solar flare]]s, and under the leadership of the [[Earth High Minister]] had chosen Nerva as a ''"lifeboat"''. (The rest of humanity was evacuated in [[Thermic shelter]]s, but they were apparently not expected to survive long enough to repopulate.)
According to some accounts, the station was known as Terra Nova. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|Doctor Who and the Ark in Space (novelisation)}}, {{cs|Doctor Who and the Sontaran Experiment (novelisation)}})


:''It is unknown exactly how much time had passed, though the [[Earth High Minister]] mentioned in a recorded revival speech that "you have slept longer than the recorded history of mankind" (supposedly referring to the planned 5000 years rather then the period really slept)''
== History ==
=== Early history ===
{{Section stub|Information from {{cs|Return of the Cybermen (audio story)}}}}
The [[Fourth Doctor]] thought the station, or parts of it, was built in the late [[29th century|29th]] or early [[30th century]]. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Ark in Space (TV story)}})


Genetic samples of Earth flora and fauna were stored on board, and the bodies of specially selected [[Human]] volunteers were placed into [[suspended animation]]. People stored were genetically screened so that the genetic pool of the survivors would be crossmatched, balanced and compact-evaluated. For this reason [[Regressive]] humans were not allowed.
The Fourth Doctor and [[Leela]] visited ''Nerva'' at the very beginning, when it was a space dock [[orbit]]ing [[Jupiter]]. They became involved in events surrounding an infection by the [[Drelleran]] in revenge for the actions of Lord [[Jack Corrigan (Destination: Nerva)|Jack Corrigan]]. ([[AUDIO]]: {{cs|Destination: Nerva (audio story)}})


The power for the station was by this time provided by solar stacks, and the transmat link now connected the station with Earth, rather than Voga.
The original purpose of the space station was as a beacon (hence the name) to warn [[spacecraft]] about the [[planetoid]] [[Voga]], which in turn orbited the [[planet]] Jupiter. ''Nerva'' was at that time operated by the [[Interplanetary Space Command]], which had its headquarters on [[Earth]]. ''Nerva'' served this function for thirty years.


Due to a [[Wirrn]] infestation, a massive system failure occurred and the Humans overslept, by the time they did wake up 10,000 years had passed. The awakenings had to fight of Wirnn, but eventually managed to retake the station and start recolonising the Earth. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Ark in Space]]'')
After the [[Cyber-Wars]], ''Nerva'' had a [[transmat]] link to the breathable interior of Voga. ''Nerva'' was apparently struck by a [[plague]] that wiped out nearly all of the fifty-strong ISC crew. Only three of the crew &mdash; [[Commander]] [[Stevenson (Revenge of the Cybermen)|Stevenson]], [[Lester]] and [[Warner]] &mdash; and one observer, named [[Kellman]], survived. It was soon discovered that the plague was in reality an infection spread by invading [[Cyberman|Cybermen]], a group of [[CyberNomad]]s under a [[Cyber-Leader (Revenge of the Cybermen)|Cyber-Leader]] who planned to destroy Voga, only for [[Pursuit of Voga|their attempt]] to fail thanks to the intervention of the Fourth Doctor, [[Sarah Jane Smith]], and [[Harry Sullivan]]. ([[TV]]: {{cs|Revenge of the Cybermen (TV story)}}) [[ArcHivist]] [[Hegelia]] believed that this event took place at the end of the [[25th century]]. ([[AUDIO]]: {{cs|The Cyber Nomads (audio story)}})


During those thousands of years, the Nerva Beacon became a legend, the lost ark of mankind, sleeping while [[GalSec|the rest of humanity]] was expanding their empire into the rest of [[Mutter's Spiral|the galaxy]] and [[Andromeda Galaxy|beyond]]. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Sontaran Experiment]]'')
=== Later history ===
In [[6087]], ''Nerva Beacon'' was moved to Earth orbit, where it served as a [[cryogenic]] storage facility, nicknamed "the Ark". Scientists had foreseen the Earth would become uninhabitable for five thousand years due to [[solar flare]]s. Under the leadership of the [[Earth High Minister]], they chose ''Nerva'' as a "lifeboat" — to quote [[Harry Sullivan]]'s description. The rest of humanity was evacuated in [[thermic shelter]]s, but they were apparently not expected to survive long enough to repopulate.


[[Category:Space stations]]
[[DNA]] samples of Earth's flora and fauna were stored on board and the bodies of selected [[human]] volunteers were placed in [[suspended animation]]. These people were genetically screened so the [[Gene pool|genetic pool]] of the survivors would be cross-matched, balanced and compact-evaluated. For this reason [[regressive]] humans, typified by [[20th century]] humans, were not allowed. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Ark in Space (TV story)}}
 
With [[Lazar (The Ark in Space)|Noah]], [[Vira]] and [[Dune]] safely onboard, and all other crew members already in cryogenic suspension, the ''Nerva Beacon'' successfully departed from above [[High Brazil]], at almost the very last moment, with the invaluable help of [[River Song]] and [[Samael Avner]], who had infiltrated the station in order to warn them about [[Garrison Clay]]'s plans for sabotage. ([[AUDIO]]: {{cs|The Black Hours (audio story)}}, {{cs|Book of the Dead (audio story)}})
 
After gaining enough clearance, power for the station was switched to ([[AUDIO]]: {{cs|Book of the Dead (audio story)}}) [[solar stack]]s. Having been repurposed, the transmat link now connected the station with Earth, rather than Voga. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Ark in Space (TV story)}}) Billions of humans were successfully uploaded to [[the Library]] by River Song. ([[AUDIO]]: {{cs|Book of the Dead (audio story)}})
 
=== Waking up again ===
Due to a [[Wirrn]] infestation, a massive system failure occurred and the humans overslept. By the time they woke, ten thousand years had passed. The awakening humans had to fight off the Wirrn, but retook the station and recolonised the Earth. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Ark in Space (TV story)}}) By another account, at this time the station was called Terra Nova. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|Doctor Who and the Ark in Space (novelisation)}}, {{cs|Doctor Who and the Sontaran Experiment (novelisation)}})
 
The recolonisation process began in [[16087]]. The main settlement was called [[Nerva City]]. It was built on the former site of [[New York City]]. ([[AUDIO]]: {{cs|Wirrn Isle (audio story)}})
 
During those thousands of years, ''Nerva Beacon'' had become a legend: the lost refuge of mankind, sleeping while [[GalSec|the rest of humanity]] was expanding their empire into the rest of [[Mutter's Spiral|the galaxy]]. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Sontaran Experiment (TV story)}})
 
== Behind the scenes ==
[[File:CGI Nerva.jpg|thumb|The updated Nerva.]]
* ''[[The Ark in Space (TV story)|The Ark in Space]]'' Special Edition DVD release featured optional CGI effects.
 
[[Category:Sol system space stations]]
[[Category:Individual spacecraft]]
[[Category:Myths and legends]]
[[Category:Locations visited by River Song]]
[[Category:Locations visited by the Fourth Doctor]]
[[Category:Alerts]]
[[Category:Jupiter]]

Latest revision as of 18:02, 7 September 2024

The Nerva Beacon, later known as the Ark or Terra Nova, was a space station located in the Sol System.

Name[[edit] | [edit source]]

Early in its history, the space station was known as Space Dock Nerva. (AUDIO: Destination: Nerva [+]Loading...["Destination: Nerva (audio story)"])

The station was known as the Nerva Beacon (TV: Revenge of the Cybermen [+]Loading...["Revenge of the Cybermen (TV story)"]) by the late 25th century (AUDIO: The Cyber Nomads [+]Loading...["The Cyber Nomads (audio story)"]) and remained so in the 61st century. (AUDIO: Last Words [+]Loading...["Last Words (audio story)"])

In 6087, the Earth High Minister referred to the station as Space Station Nerva, a name which Vira used once she awoke in 16087. (TV: The Ark in Space [+]Loading...["The Ark in Space (TV story)"]) This was also the name Vural knew it by. (TV: The Sontaran Experiment [+]Loading...["The Sontaran Experiment (TV story)"]) It was also known as the Ark. (TV: The Ark in Space [+]Loading...["The Ark in Space (TV story)"])

According to some accounts, the station was known as Terra Nova. (PROSE: Doctor Who and the Ark in Space [+]Loading...["Doctor Who and the Ark in Space (novelisation)"], Doctor Who and the Sontaran Experiment [+]Loading...["Doctor Who and the Sontaran Experiment (novelisation)"])

History[[edit] | [edit source]]

Early history[[edit] | [edit source]]

This section's awfully stubby.

Information from Return of the Cybermen [+]Loading...["Return of the Cybermen (audio story)"]

The Fourth Doctor thought the station, or parts of it, was built in the late 29th or early 30th century. (TV: The Ark in Space [+]Loading...["The Ark in Space (TV story)"])

The Fourth Doctor and Leela visited Nerva at the very beginning, when it was a space dock orbiting Jupiter. They became involved in events surrounding an infection by the Drelleran in revenge for the actions of Lord Jack Corrigan. (AUDIO: Destination: Nerva [+]Loading...["Destination: Nerva (audio story)"])

The original purpose of the space station was as a beacon (hence the name) to warn spacecraft about the planetoid Voga, which in turn orbited the planet Jupiter. Nerva was at that time operated by the Interplanetary Space Command, which had its headquarters on Earth. Nerva served this function for thirty years.

After the Cyber-Wars, Nerva had a transmat link to the breathable interior of Voga. Nerva was apparently struck by a plague that wiped out nearly all of the fifty-strong ISC crew. Only three of the crew — Commander Stevenson, Lester and Warner — and one observer, named Kellman, survived. It was soon discovered that the plague was in reality an infection spread by invading Cybermen, a group of CyberNomads under a Cyber-Leader who planned to destroy Voga, only for their attempt to fail thanks to the intervention of the Fourth Doctor, Sarah Jane Smith, and Harry Sullivan. (TV: Revenge of the Cybermen [+]Loading...["Revenge of the Cybermen (TV story)"]) ArcHivist Hegelia believed that this event took place at the end of the 25th century. (AUDIO: The Cyber Nomads [+]Loading...["The Cyber Nomads (audio story)"])

Later history[[edit] | [edit source]]

In 6087, Nerva Beacon was moved to Earth orbit, where it served as a cryogenic storage facility, nicknamed "the Ark". Scientists had foreseen the Earth would become uninhabitable for five thousand years due to solar flares. Under the leadership of the Earth High Minister, they chose Nerva as a "lifeboat" — to quote Harry Sullivan's description. The rest of humanity was evacuated in thermic shelters, but they were apparently not expected to survive long enough to repopulate.

DNA samples of Earth's flora and fauna were stored on board and the bodies of selected human volunteers were placed in suspended animation. These people were genetically screened so the genetic pool of the survivors would be cross-matched, balanced and compact-evaluated. For this reason regressive humans, typified by 20th century humans, were not allowed. (TV: The Ark in Space [+]Loading...["The Ark in Space (TV story)"]

With Noah, Vira and Dune safely onboard, and all other crew members already in cryogenic suspension, the Nerva Beacon successfully departed from above High Brazil, at almost the very last moment, with the invaluable help of River Song and Samael Avner, who had infiltrated the station in order to warn them about Garrison Clay's plans for sabotage. (AUDIO: The Black Hours [+]Loading...["The Black Hours (audio story)"], Book of the Dead [+]Loading...["Book of the Dead (audio story)"])

After gaining enough clearance, power for the station was switched to (AUDIO: Book of the Dead [+]Loading...["Book of the Dead (audio story)"]) solar stacks. Having been repurposed, the transmat link now connected the station with Earth, rather than Voga. (TV: The Ark in Space [+]Loading...["The Ark in Space (TV story)"]) Billions of humans were successfully uploaded to the Library by River Song. (AUDIO: Book of the Dead [+]Loading...["Book of the Dead (audio story)"])

Waking up again[[edit] | [edit source]]

Due to a Wirrn infestation, a massive system failure occurred and the humans overslept. By the time they woke, ten thousand years had passed. The awakening humans had to fight off the Wirrn, but retook the station and recolonised the Earth. (TV: The Ark in Space [+]Loading...["The Ark in Space (TV story)"]) By another account, at this time the station was called Terra Nova. (PROSE: Doctor Who and the Ark in Space [+]Loading...["Doctor Who and the Ark in Space (novelisation)"], Doctor Who and the Sontaran Experiment [+]Loading...["Doctor Who and the Sontaran Experiment (novelisation)"])

The recolonisation process began in 16087. The main settlement was called Nerva City. It was built on the former site of New York City. (AUDIO: Wirrn Isle [+]Loading...["Wirrn Isle (audio story)"])

During those thousands of years, Nerva Beacon had become a legend: the lost refuge of mankind, sleeping while the rest of humanity was expanding their empire into the rest of the galaxy. (TV: The Sontaran Experiment [+]Loading...["The Sontaran Experiment (TV story)"])

Behind the scenes[[edit] | [edit source]]

The updated Nerva.
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