Alterra Corporation

Alterra Logo

Alterra Corporation, also known as Alterra Corp., Alterra TransGov, or simply Alterra, is a Trans-Government that funded the Aurora's mission to construct a phasegate in the Ariadne Arm and owns 9% of phasegates within the galaxy. It appears to be the manufacturer of many machines and tools in-game, as its logo is on many of them.

Despite being legally recognized as a Trans-Gov, Alterra considers itself a corporation. Its corporate structure is made up of an elected board of directors that appoints the overall CEO, appoints the CEOs of major subsidiaries, and makes major economic decisions. Alterra Corporation is made up of millions of smaller companies that are partially or fully owned by Alterra. The corporation makes money off these companies and in return provides expensive services such as starship production. More successful companies' CEOs have a shot at the board of directors. Employees for Alterra are entitled to a one-time share in the Alterra Corporation to afford payments of the Alterra dividend. An exception to these rules are contractors, who are paid by Alterra but are not strictly employees.

Alterra is heavily involved in the arms trade and made substantial amounts of money supplying weaponry to all warring factions during the period known as the Expansion. Their threats to cut off these supplies are said to have been a turning point in the conflict. Today, they are the top supplier to the Trans-System Federation. Alterra does not maintain a standing military, though they do have a police force. Civilian ownership of weapons within Alterra space is strictly controlled, with only the police able to bear arms.

Alterra is rather strict with policies related to resources, even keeping employees "on the clock" after catastrophic accidents. All resources gathered by such employees are company property and Alterra expects to be reimbursed for their full market value after the fact: in the case of Ryley Robinson, this led to a trillion-credit bill.

Profile

Status: Active
Known Members: Board of Directors, Max Zoinkoff, Becky, unidentified Employees
Locations: 4546B, Terra 17
Motto: 'Get what you deserve'

Various Alterra logos

The Alterra Arms logo on the Survival Knife

History and Operations

Although most trans-govs can trace their roots back to earth, Alterra - literally meaning 'by earth' - is the only one brazen enough to take its name. During the Expansion, Alterra supplied arms to all sides, acquiring and housing a vast colonist workforce, and making the transition from manufacturer to corporate state. Alterra's threat to cease trade was one of the turning points in the conflict, bringing about the end of hostilities and the signing of the Charter.

Today Alterra has a ban on all weapons within its borders, although loopholes exist for law enforcement officers and manufacturers / exporters. The corporation has learnt that violence is most profitable when conducted between customers rather than employees.

Free enterprise within Alterra space is encouraged, but competition is tight, and all goods exported offworld must be Alterra branded. Profitable businesses are bought out by the state, owners ascending to the Alterra Board of Directors. Well-known Alterra technologies such as the Cyclops submersible originated with such private enterprises.

Despite superficial similarities to national governments, the corporation's lawyers have always maintained that it has no legal obligation to its 'employees', but voluntarily elects to take on the roles usually served by a democratically elected government. This claim has not yet been tested in Federation courts.

Divisions and Companies

Board of Directors
Alterra Arms Company
Alterra Survival Systems
Marketing

Key Personnel

Board of Directors

Max Zoinkoff
Becky (Alterra HQ)
Unidentified Employees

Aurora Crew

The Aurora was staffed with a Command Team of 23, an Engineering Team of 85, and a Support Crew of 40.

Captain Hollister: Captain of the Aurora
Keen: Second Officer
Danby: Medical Officer
Yu: Chief Technology Officer (CTU)
Berkeley: Engineer
Hinkle: Technician
Ryley Robinson: Non-Essential Systems Maintenance Chief
Huggins: Prawn Bay Crew
Elheim Ozzy: Cafeteria Owner
Jo: Contractor
Unnamed Crew members (Scanner Room, Lifepods)

Products and Equipment

Alterra manufactures a wide range of gear found throughout the game.

Protective Equipment

All-Environment Protection Suit (AEP Suit)
Reinforced Dive Suit
Reinforced Gloves
Radiation Suit / Gloves / Helmet
Water Filtration Suit
Oxygen Tanks (High Capacity, Ultra High Capacity, Booster)

Tools

Alterra Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)
Mobile Vehicle Bay
Alterra handheld habitat builder
Alterra Laser Cutter
Alterra repair tool
Communications Tower Test Override Module
Alterra Spectroscope Scanner
Fire Extinguisher
Survival Package
Survival Knife
Thermoblade
Alterra Stasis Rifle
Flashlight
Propulsion Cannon
Reclaimed Water Bag
Time Capsule

Parts and Power

Alterra Corp. Chipset
Solar Power Cell

Storage

Alterra Cargo Crate "JHD 34 T" (small/large)

Consumables

"SNACK!" Rice Snack
Large Filtered Water
Water Purification Tablet

Machinery

Engineering Drone / Engineering Drone "Albert"
Camera Drones
Fabrication Drones

Habitat Installations

Fabricator
Modification Station
[Battery Charger](/wiki/battery-charger)
Power Cell Charger
Radio
Alterra Water Filtration System
Docking Modules (Moonpool, Vehicle Upgrade Console)
Snack Vending Machine
Coffee Box
Alien Containment Unit
Picture Frame

Decorative Objects

Aurora Miniature
Aurora Poster
Prawn Suit Poster (Land/Sea)

Informational

Water Filtration Machine Manual

Vehicles

Alterra Long-Range Capital Ship (Aurora)
Sunbeam's ship type
Cyclops
Seamoth
Seaglide
Pressure Re-Active Waterproof Nano Suit / Mk.III
2-Berth Emergency Lifepod

Upgrades and Modules

Universal Vehicle Storage Module
Universal Hull Reinforcement Module
Universal Engine Efficiency Module
Cyclops Modules (Engine Efficiency, Decoy Tube, Docking Bay Repair, Fire Suppression, Shield Generator, Sonar, Thermal Reactor)
Seamoth Modules (Perimeter Defense, Sonar, Solar Charger, Torpedo System)
PRAWN Suit Mk.III Modules (Depth MK1/MK2, Jump Jet, Thermal Reactor, Storage, Propulsion Cannon, Grappling Arm, Torpedo Arm, Drill Arm)

Vehicle Launchables

Vortex Torpedo
Gas Torpedo
Creature Decoy

Projects and Prototypes

Alterra Phasegate Network Expansion
Neptune Escape Rocket

Databank Entries

Trans-Gov

One of largest suppliers of spacefaring technologies and consumer electronics in the federation. The official supplier of the TSF. Consistently ranked amongst the Galaxy's best employers. Began life as a defense manufacturer in the mid-22nd century.

Aurora Crash Interview - Alterra Spokesperson

We have recently confirmed that the Aurora has conducted an emergency landing on an uncharted planet... The captain reported unexpected damage to the ship. No possibilities are being ruled out.

Aurora Wreckage Located, Survivors Confirmed

Alterra has released voice recordings which confirm survivors of the Aurora crash. The transmission came from trade ship Sunbeam... While the number of survivors is not yet known, nor the true state of the ship, it is now known that she has landed with her hull largely intact, on planet 4546B.

Trivia

In the game Natural Selection II, also made by Unknown Worlds Entertainment, the Alterra Corporation logo can be seen in multiple places, including on some maps, weapons, tools, and equipment. This is one of several connections from Subnautica to Natural Selection II found within Subnautica.
A real-life company called Alterra (fully Alterra Mountain Company) was established in 2018. It is a conglomerate of a number of ski resorts owned by two parent investment companies.
According to Databank entries, Alterra may refer to a nation in real life, the United States.