The Oppressed Peoples of Space 17 is a colossal, genial nation, remarkable for its ritual sacrifices, ubiquitous missile silos, and ban on automobiles. The compassionate, hard-working, cynical, humorless, devout population of 2.801 billion Space 17ians are kept under strict control by the oppressive government, which measures its success by the nation's GDP and refers to individual citizens as "human resources."

The medium-sized, corrupt, moralistic, well-organized government juggles the competing demands of Defense, Law & Order, and Industry. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 30.7%.

The frighteningly efficient Space 17ian economy, worth 285 trillion Euros a year, is quite specialized and led by the Arms Manufacturing industry, with significant contributions from Information Technology, Tourism, and Basket Weaving. Black market activity is extensive. State-owned companies are common. Average income is an impressive 101,764 Euros, but there is a significant disparity between incomes, with the richest 10% of citizens earning 293,030 per year while the poor average 28,071, a ratio of 10.4 to 1.

Vets have been drafted in to help "fix" those who fail the parental license exam, the government regularly reassures citizens that there are no monsters under their beds, it is illegal to make racist remarks in public, and the government is funneling billions into Cape Space 17 following the shuttle crash. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Space 17's national animal is the Hawk, which soars majestically through the nation's famously clear skies.

Space 17 is ranked 19,221^st in the world and 8^th in thunder 527 for Highest Disposable Incomes, with 70,523.03 Standard Monetary Units.