History Main / OneProductPlanet

* In ''ComicBook/AstroCity'', the world of the Quiqui-a trades their grain Jhef with other planets.

** Rocket Raccoon of the Comicbook/GuardiansOfTheGalaxy is from Halfworld, which was founded as a medical/psychological patient dumping ground. To ensure the patients' security and comfort without requiring anyone to actually have to treat them, the creators uplifted some typical cute and cuddly animals to sentience to act as their orderlies (though the animals weren't told their purpose), Rocket being one of them.
** In ''Marvel NOW!'', Wolverine, Loki and possibly others seem to keep bumping into Planet Sin, a gigantic space casino.

* ''Film/{{Avatar}}'': An example of interstellar commerce with STL craft. Pandora is mostly valued for its Phlebotinum Monopoly, though it has an Exotic Alien society and ecosystem.
* As with any good space opera, ''Franchise/StarWars'' provides plenty of examples.

** ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'' shows us the trope in action. In the episode "[[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS1E21Symbiosis Symbiosis]]", one of the two planets of the week produces nothing but a narcotic which the other planet believes is a cure to a virulent plague (whose symptoms just happen to look exactly like withdrawal). Deconstructed -- the providing planet ''used'' to have a broader commercial base (it was the poorer and less developed of the pair, but still a full civilization), but the profits of the drug were tempting enough that gradually other industries fell out of use over the generations until ''both'' sides were effectively addicted -- the buying planet literally, and the selling planet by being dependent on selling the narcotic to keep society running. The system ultimately collapsed when their technology regressed to the point that they couldn't maintain their spaceships (and the ''Enterprise'' declined to enable them by fixing them).

->'''Data''': Fascinating. Your society is dedicated exclusively to the production of [[FantasticDrug a single product]].\\
'''Picard''': A product for which you have no use for, but which the Ornarans can't live without.\\
'''Langor''': One of the little ironies of life, Captain.
-->-- ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'', "Symbiosis"

* ''Literature/{{Foundation}}'':

** ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'' shows us the trope in action. In the episode "Symbiosis", one of the two planets of the week produces nothing but a narcotic which the other planet believes is a cure to a virulent plague (whose symptoms just happen to look exactly like withdrawal). Deconstructed -- the providing planet ''used'' to have a broader commercial base (it was the poorer and less developed of the pair, but still a full civilization), but the profits of the drug were tempting enough that gradually other industries fell out of use over the generations until ''both'' sides were effectively addicted -- the buying planet literally, and the selling planet by being dependent on selling the narcotic to keep society running. The system ultimately collapsed when their technology regressed to the point that they couldn't maintain their spaceships (and the ''Enterprise'' declined to enable them by fixing them).

** Hive worlds supposedly produce a lot of different products, although they're best known as a source of CannonFodder for the Imperial Guard.

** Now that being said, the vast majority of planets in the Imperium are classified as Civilized Worlds. Which mean that they are or are mostly self-sufficent and produce at least some goods of various types for export.[[Administrivia/TropesAreTools But they don't get as much attention as fighting to protect a strip mall in the war torn future isn't nearly as compelling.]]

This trope isn't about a single {{Planetville}}; It focuses on the "big picture" on how individual worlds interact with each other. Subtrope of PlanetOfHats, though any location (a big asteroid, small moon, space colony) can serve as this. Compare/Contrast SingleBiomePlanet.

Well done versions of the trope will explain that a planet is widely known for its major export, while its other industries are neither profitable nor popular. It could also be used for comedic effect, by exaggerating it to the point of absurdity (a Planet of Toasters).

Economics aside, a planet has other values: political, cultural, religious, and a military culture. The importance of the export directly influences the importance of the planet. For example, the Planet of Phlebotinum would have a lot of power and an armada protecting it. However, the Planet of sexbot production would lack any economic influence and maybe warrants a fleet of space corvettes for protection. Meanwhile, the Planet of Judges, Robes, and Powdered Wigs would have political clout due to its role in supplying judges, but lack economic influence. The amount of protection a planet needs depends on how much influence they have with their neighbors and with the ruling elite.

Political center of an interplanetary or interstellar government, it hosts the [[{{Adminisphere}} legislative and administrative buildings and a coterie of bureaucrats, politicians, lobbyists and diplomats]]. As such, the characters are always holding discreet side meetings and negotiations and the halls of power are filled with intrigue (and possibly backstabbing). The [[ShiningCity gleaming towers are the apex of culture and power]], but they also harbor [[DecadentCourt the rot of decadence and corruption]]. This world is highly valued, so expect it to be well protected...unless no ships are available for whatever reason. Capitals of various space Empires tend to be [[CityPlanet highly urbanized]] and thus depend on imported food and other resources, a weakness that beseiging enemies may exploit.

# CannonFodder, lower-skilled, poorly-trained soldiers hired out for reserve units, filling out dangerous front-line units and garrison forces for that BleakBorderBase where no other units want to serve at. This planet has nothing else to sell other than its unemployed, low-skilled labor.

Dumping grounds for "discontents, dissidents and troublemakers". Expect these worlds to be unpleasant at the least, and at worst, harsh and forbidding. Can range from razor-wire-fenced work camps to large fenced-in communities of prisoners around a factory or mine. In some cases, prisoners are just dropped into the lawless wastelands, with no fences; in this case, the harsh planet ''is'' the prison. If these worlds export anything, it's products of slave labor or raw resources. If governed, it would be by the prison administration (authoritarian and harsh by necessity).

Even though it's officially forbidden, TheEmpire may have a BlackSite here to do off-the-books research or explore the use of exotic, dangerous resources.

Along with these, various settings have specialized forces: armour warfare, Special Ops, sapping, urban warfare, etc. Life on these worlds tend to be tough, and often produces [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy prideful fighters]]. Could be ruled under the military or an authoritarian society. In fiction, there are plenty of [[LibertariansInSpace Libertarian cultures]] that don't mind setting up such worlds.

Harvests natural resources, often rare metals, minerals, or gases needed for industry. Like the Factory Planet, it is gritty and polluted, with huge tailing ponds and rivers choked with filthy wastes.

Dumping grounds for "discontents, dissidents and troublemakers". Expect these worlds to be unpleasant at the least, and at worst, harsh and forbidding. Can range from orderly communities of small colonies to razor-wire-fenced work camps to lawless wastelands. If these worlds export anything, it's products of slave labor or raw resources. If governed, it would be by the prison administration (authoritarian and harsh by necessity).

Location that is so dangerous due to toxic fumes, unstable atmosphere or predatory aliens that no one visits, except when {{Space Marine}}s escort in a research team to get samples or for a single BleakBorderBase. Could be a LostColony destroyed by plague, virus or [[HordeOfAlienLocusts infested by alien locusts]]. Whatever the reason, the planet is [[GhostPlanet no longer of any value]], covered in AbandonedArea ruins or wasteland. Only [[ForbiddenFruit profit-seeking adventurers]] and the VenurousSmuggler would willingly travel to these risky worlds.

# CannonFodder, low-skilled, poorly-trained soldiers hired out for reserve units, filling out dangerous front-line units and garrison forces for that BleakBorderBase where no other units want to serve at. This planet has nothing else to sell other than its unemployed, low-skilled labor.

Harvests natural resources, often rare metals, minerals, or gases needed for industry.

Influence of a mining world is dependent on what it gathers. A world mining Tin isn't going to be much value. However, a planet collecting Helium-3 (which can be used for fusion reactors) are going to be richer and better protected. Such places can range from terrestrial planets to asteroids to gas giants.

As business concerns, they're [[CompanyTown run by whoever owns the mines]]. Governance varies, but life tends to be hard and gritty and the people are poor, except for the higher-skilled machine operators and technologists. Another good source for military recruits - many people sign up for off-world service to escape the harsh, polluted environment or receive better pay.

Planet that is newly discovered and open for grabs. Expect [[DeterminedHomesteader new settlers]] or folks fighting over the planet. Such worlds would have little to export and much to import, due to a lack of infrastructure. If settled, frontier towns are likely. Local government is minimal at best. Because of the lack of infrastructure, these new colonies tend to be [[EasilyConqueredWorld easily conquered]].

Dumping grounds for "discontents". Expect these worlds to be unpleasant at the very least. Can range from orderly communities to work camps to lawless wastelands. If these worlds export anything, it's products of slave labor. If governed, it would be by the prison administration (authoritarian by necessity).

Places for tourists to visit and relax, often paradise worlds or something akin to Las Vegas in space. Mostly, it is [[VacationEpisode a place for the protagonists to relax]], especially if there's [[BeachEpisode beaches]]. Not likely to be a major target, unless it's a strategic location or [[FriendlyTarget attacked for symbolic reasons]].

Known for its [[ForScience research and development]], and its state-of-the-art technology. The natives [[TheSpock value logic]] and ruled by technocrats. Home to a lot of [[RuleOfCool cool gadgets]], [[FuturisticTechIndex new technology]], and [[GadgeteerGenius various scientists]] ([[MadScientist mad]] or [[ScienceHero otherwise]]).