When does the Federation rise in Starship Troopers? (2132)
A militia uprising in Aberdeen is later commemorated as Federation Day, marking the ideological foundation of the Terran Federation.
Open recordOverview
Starship Troopers is set in a future where humanity is unified under the Terran Federation, a system that ties full citizenship rights to military or civil service. The Federation's founding and early expansion are documented in official licensed material, including the Starship Troopers RPG sourcebook, which provides specific dates for key historical milestones in the 22nd century.
The defining conflict of the franchise is the Bug War, an interstellar war between the Federation and the Arachnids. The 1997 film, its sequels, and the animated series Roughnecks: Starship Troopers Chronicles all depict different phases of this conflict. However, none of these productions explicitly state a year on screen. The dates shown on this page for Bug War events are community estimates based on internal story references and fan research, they are the best available figures, but should be understood as approximate rather than officially confirmed.
The technology and tactics of the Federation evolve throughout the franchise, from conventional Mobile Infantry operations to the powered Marauder armour systems introduced in later films. Each escalation reflects a war that neither side is able to win quickly, driving both innovation and enormous loss.
About dates on this page: Events marked Official source have dates from the Starship Troopers RPG: United Citizens Federation (2005), a licensed supplement that documents Federation history. Events marked Fan-estimated are placed in approximate years by the fan community, the films and series do not state these years explicitly. We include them because they are part of the franchise story, but we want to be upfront that they are best guesses.
Key Timeline Records
Official Source Dates
When is the Terran Federation formed? (2133)
The Federation replaces earlier nation-based systems with a unified, service-driven citizenship model.
Open recordWhen are space programmes reconstituted in Starship Troopers? (2169)
The Federation restores its institutional foundation for interstellar expansion.
Open recordWhen does the Galileo launch in Starship Troopers? (2178)
The Galileo marks a major operational step toward stellar colonisation.
Open recordWhen does humanity expand into deep space in Starship Troopers? (2238)
Aggressive interstellar colonisation establishes the routes that later bring humanity into conflict with the Arachnids.
Open recordFan-Estimated Dates (approximate, not stated on screen)
When do the first Arachnid conflicts happen? (~2295)
Initial clashes escalate into the sustained Bug War. Year is a fan community estimate.
Open recordWhen is Buenos Aires destroyed? (~2297)
A devastating strike triggers full-scale war mobilisation. Year is a fan community estimate.
Open recordWhen does the Battle of Klendathu happen? (~2297)
A failed offensive forces a reassessment of Federation war strategy. Year is a fan community estimate.
Open recordWhen does the Roughnecks campaign phase happen? (~2298)
Mobile Infantry units carry out extended campaigns across Arachnid systems. Year is a fan community estimate.
Open recordWhen do the Hero of the Federation outpost events happen? (~2300)
An isolated incident reveals new biological threats in the war. Year is a fan community estimate.
Open recordWhen are Marauder systems deployed? (~2308)
Advanced powered armour marks a technological escalation in the Federation's war effort. Year is a fan community estimate.
Open recordFAQ
When does Starship Troopers take place?
The Terran Federation is founded in 2133 according to the official RPG sourcebook. The films are set in the 23rd century, fan consensus places the 1997 film around 2297, though no year is stated on screen.
Are the Bug War dates official?
No. The films, sequels, and animated series never state an explicit year. The dates shown for Bug War events are fan-estimated figures based on internal story references. They are the best available approximations, not confirmed canon.
What is the Bug War?
The prolonged interstellar conflict between the Terran Federation and the Arachnids, involving large-scale planetary assaults, heavy casualties, and ongoing campaigns across multiple star systems.