vacane

Vacane is a fictional mineral used in science fiction and speculative worldbuilding. In various narratives, it is portrayed as an exceptionally energy-dense ore whose extraction enables advanced propulsion, power generation, and matrix manufacturing.

Descriptions vary by author; common traits include high energy density, resistance to radiation, and ease of refinement. Some depictions assign superconducting properties at practical temperatures, while others emphasize its role in shielding or catalytic processing. The material’s exact chemistry and production chain are typically tailored to the story’s technological level.

Vacane is typically located in outer solar system bodies, such as asteroid belts or small icy moons. Mining is depicted as dangerous and technologically demanding, often requiring automated fleets, plasma processing, and on-site refining facilities. Transport of vacane to settlements and industry centers is portrayed as a strategic affair, given the ore’s perceived scarcity and value.

In-world economies vacane drives interplanetary trade and industry. Its scarcity can create monopolies, geopolitical leverage, and conflicts over mining rights. Price volatility commonly influences political alliances, security policies, and research agendas, including funding for extraction technologies and safety measures.

The term appears across multiple science fiction settings as a speculative material, with lore and constraints that vary by author. See also: List of fictional minerals; Fictional economies; Space mining in fiction.