Project ASCENSION is an ongoing research and construction project with the intent of constructing a new vessel for Earth's resident Aash'n population. Involving several hundred thousand workers on direct construction work alone, the project additionally employs an estimated 3.5 million people primarily in the Maghreb and Europe in research and development in a vast number of companies, contractors and administrative roles. The centrepiece of ASCENSION is the construction of a large 'ark' to transport the Aash'n to their new home. Much of the infrastructure for this is located in northern Africa and Guyana. Due to the scheme's grandiose nature, work on the vessel itself has not even begun; work continues on the massive Gantry, used as an orbital shipyard.