Orion Arm

Political map of the Orion Arm in 2294

The Orion Arm is a minor spiral arm of the Milky Way Galaxy that is 3,500 light-years (1,100 parsecs) across and approximately 10,000 light-years (3,100 parsecs) in length, containing the Solar System, including Earth. It is also referred to by its full name, the Orion–Cygnus Arm, as well as Local Arm, Orion Bridge, and formerly, the Local Spur and Orion Spur.

The arm is named for the Orion Constellation, which is one of the most prominent constellations of Northern Hemisphere winter (Southern Hemisphere summer). Some of the brightest stars and most famous celestial objects of the constellation (e.g. Betelgeuse, Rigel, the three stars of Orion's Belt, the Orion Nebula) are within it as shown on the interactive map below.

The arm contains the entire extent of human civilisation, with almost 50 billion humans living across almost 100 star systems. There are four main interstellar powers dominating the Orion Arm: the North Atlantic Conglomerate, the United Republics of Bharat, the Technocratic State of Argentina and the Holy Arab League. There are also smaller interstellar powers, such as the United Proxima Federation, Egypt or the Commonwealth of Lambda Aurigae. The remaining systems are usually governed by planetary governments.

Smaller governments have also been at the center of interstellar conflicts and have long struggled against the major powers. Notable examples include the Argentine-Jerichoan War, the 2243–44 Sidewinder conflict and the Great Orion War.