During the 21st century, capital agglomerated into the hands of a smaller number of ever bigger corporations, which became known as the Transnationals, often just called the 'Transnats'. Commerce, transport, communications, manufacturing, mining, agriculture, and most services has fallen increasingly under the control of huge corporations organised and operating on a global scale. Most national economies were smaller than the larger Trannats. In many cases the Transnationals would supply an entire countries services, including security.

The early years of space exploration saw a rapid increase in the power and influence of these corporations. Without the Transnats financial backing the exploration and eventual colonisation of space would have been economically impossible for the nations of Earth. The 20 largest transnationals are listed below, along with their major nation(s) of origin.

Advanced Information Corp - Chinese/Ukranian/Indian
BHP-Billarton - Australian/South African
Consolidated Energy - American/Chinese
Boeing Spacecorp - American/Russian
Gulf & Ford -American/European
GMC - American/Chinese
Krupp & Associates - European/Brazil
Life Incorporated - American
Vishnu, Chekov & Affiliates - Indian/Russian
Lockheed-Mitsubushi - American/Japanese
Kroeger Systems - European/Indian
MS Industries - American/Japanese
Oreche - American/European
Southern Group - Brazil/South African
Sirius Cybernetic Corporation - European/Japanese
Shell-CNP - European/Chinese
Wang & Affiliates - Chinese/Korean
WalmartING - American
Xon - American/Russian/Saudi
Zenetech - Chinese/Japanese