Valhalla (A-4464 IV-II)
Type: Moon
Star: Bifrost
Star spectral type: A0
Distance from Terra: 764 ly
Host planet: Bifrost IV
Perihelion: 2.46 AU
Aphelion: 2.49 AU
Orbital period: 1076 Earth days
Length of day: 32 hours, 16 minutes
Mean radius: 6,190 km
Mass: 0.94 Earth masses
Gravity: 0.97 g
Average surface temperature: 10.6 degrees C
Atmospheric pressure: 1.64 bar
Atmosphere: 85% nitrogen, 14% oxygen, 1% trace elements
Surface water coverage: 59.8%
Colonized: October 11, 2188
Population: 414,160,405 (2295 census)
Capital city: Asgard (pop. 2,201,164)
Sustainability Index: 0.969 (excellent)
Planetary GDP:  Cr25,124,843,591,250
Per capita GDP: Cr58,250

Valhalla is one of the most spectacularly beautful, but hostile, inhabited words in the United Terran Republlic. Inhabited for nearly 110 years, Valhalla is also among the oldest Terran colonies. Valhalla is not a planet but a moon similar in size to Earth  The planet orbits Bifrost IV, a blood-red gas giant around 1.3 times the mass of Jupiter. The combined tidal effects of its star and host planet lead to massive tides that can reach up to 5 meters, so most of the inhabited cities are well inland. The moon is prone to frequent, massive quakes so settlements are carefully located way from fault lines, where moonquakes up to 9.4 on the Richter scale have been reported.

Valhalla's star, Bifrost, is a blue-white A0 type star, and the moon would be uninhabitable if not for the protection of the gas giant's magnetosphere. Valhalla's vivid royal blue sky, dominating by the looming presence of Bifrost IV, is considered one of the most breathtaking vistas in the UTR, and the auroras that cover nearly the entire planet on some nights are even more beautiful. However, it is best to stay covered up while on Valhalla, as UV radiation is a great deal more intense than on Earth. Unprotected Caucasians can sunburn with only a few minutes of exposure. The original group of settlers sent to Valhalla were mostly of African descent, and even now over 60% of the moon's residents are black. Wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses are worn by nearly everyone to protect the face and eyes.

Valhalla is a cold planet, with approximately 30% of the planet's landmass glaciated. Most of the settled areas are near the equator, and while these areas are quite warm in the summer (averaging 23 degrees Celsius for daytime highs in the capital city of Asgard), the winters are harsh, usually below freezing, and last for almost an entire Earth year due to Valhalla's long solar orbital period of 1076 Earth days. The Valhallan calendar (which instead of the Terran calendar for agriculture and other purposes where Valhalla's seasons and climate are important) divides a Valhallan year into 717 days, each day lasting 32 hours plus a 16 minute partial hour, and 20 months, each lasting 35-37 days. Every third year is a leap year, lasting 718 days. The Terran year 2297 C.E. corresponds to the spring and part of the summer of Valhallan year 37 A.C. (After Colonization)

Valhalla is home to more than 414 million people, most of whom live within a 2000-kilometer radius of the capital city of Asgard. With a per-capita GDP of Cr58,250, Valhalla is one of the wealthier colonies, although it is economically dwarfed by Earth. The primary industries are tourism, heavy manufacturing, electronics, and defense, making Valhalla one of the manufacturing powerhouses of the UTR. Valhalla's power largely comes from solar, as its intense solar radiation makes solar power plants, especially orbital solar plants, especially efficient. Plants imported from Earth grow especially well in the bluish sunlight of Valhalla's star (provided they can survive the bitter winters), and are spreading far beyond the settled areas of the planet, crowding out the native flora. Some scientists estimate that Valhalla's non-glaciated areas may be completely overrun by Terran life within a thousand years. Large Terran animals have gradually been introduced to Valhalla in the past few decades, mostly cold-adapted creatures like wolves and caribou, contributing to the subversion of Valhalla's original biosphere.

Passage to Valhalla from Earth takes approximately 19 hours on a commercial starliner. Tourists are advised to bring warm clothing, sunglasses, sunscreen of at least SPF 50, and avoid staying uncovered in sunlight for extended periods. People with skin cancer or a history of recurrent skin cancer are advised not to go to Valhalla. One of the most notable tourist destinations is Fred's Ice Cream Emporium, which has the largest selection of ice cream in the known universe. Over 900 different flavors of ice cream can be sampled, including the incredibly bizarre 2278 Chateau Larousse Bordeaux flavored ice cream made with real French red wine, which costs an astonishing Cr84.99 per scoop.  Also notable are Whitman Park, a hockey rink home to the Asgard Aesir, who won the IIHF championship for five consecutive years between 2288 and 2292, and the Valhalla Zoo, which houses over 400 species of native Valhallan animals, many of which are now nearly extinct in the wild.