The Lion’s Gate Spaceport is the largest transportation hub on Terra, built into the Imperial Palace itself. It’s where starships dock and cargo moves down to the Throneworld, and it became one of the most bitterly fought-over locations during the Siege of Terra.
What and where it is
The spaceport sits next to the Lion’s Gate, the link between the Inner and Outer Palace complexes. It’s the greatest transport facility on Terra, a massive structure that reaches into the upper atmosphere.
Its docking yards and elevators can handle starships of any size, including a Gloriana Class Battleship. The facility is still in use today, according to Codex: Adeptus Custodes.
How it’s laid out
The spaceport is divided into layers. The outer part of each layer, up to about a kilometre deep, is called the skin. Around the innermost ten kilometres is the mantle zone, and the very centre is the core wards, or just the core.
Three main levels are known: the Tropophex, Stratophex, and Mesophex. Each serves a different purpose, from bulk landing pads to cargo transfer.
| Level | Description |
|---|---|
| Tropophex | Lowest level, most populous, with the bulk of landing pads and bridges to the Outer Palace and Lion’s Gate. |
| Stratophex | Middle level, containing Sky City, a mix of servitor and labourer facilities and crane complexes. Controls access between lower and upper levels. |
| Mesophex | Highest level, known as the Star Spear. Six narrowing towers rise to a twelve-kilometre-wide landing pad. Spacecraft touch down in near-vacuum and load directly into conveyor shafts linked to giant space elevators. |
The Siege of Terra
During the Siege of Terra, the Lion’s Gate and its spaceport were among the most heavily defended parts of the Imperial Palace. Over 18,000 Imperial Fists and 800,000 Imperial Army troops held it under Fafnir Rann.
Despite that, it fell to a combined assault led by Kroeger, Abaddon, Kharn, and Perturabo. Later, Jaghatai Khan led a daring raid with the White Scars and the 1st Terran Tank Division to reclaim it.
- Defended by over 18,000 Imperial Fists and 800,000 Imperial Army troops under Fafnir Rann.
- Fell to a combined assault by Kroeger, Abaddon, Kharn, and Perturabo.
- Recaptured by the White Scars and 1st Terran Tank Division, led by Jaghatai Khan.
Fafnir Rann and the spaceport
Fafnir Rann, Lord Seneschal and Captain of the First Assault Cadre of the Imperial Fists, was put in charge of the spaceport by Rogal Dorn. He fought in the bitter defence described in The First Wall and was still holding the Iron Warriors at bay in Saturnine.
Rann made his Black Library debut in Templar and later got a miniature for Warhammer: The Horus Heresy, where he wields twin axes, the Headsman and the Hunter.
Key facts
- The Lion’s Gate Spaceport is the greatest transportation facility on Terra, located near the Lion’s Gate.
- It can receive starships as large as a Gloriana Class Battleship.
- Its layers include the Tropophex, Stratophex (with Sky City), and Mesophex (Star Spear).
- During the Siege of Terra, it was defended by Fafnir Rann and later fell to a Traitor assault.
- Jaghatai Khan and the White Scars recaptured it in a daring raid.
FAQ
What is the Lion’s Gate Spaceport?
It’s the main spaceport of the Imperial Palace on Terra, a huge facility that handles starship docking and cargo transfer to the surface.
Who defended the Lion’s Gate Spaceport during the Siege of Terra?
Fafnir Rann commanded its defence, with over 18,000 Imperial Fists and 800,000 Imperial Army troops under him.
How was the spaceport recaptured?
Jaghatai Khan led a daring raid with the White Scars and the 1st Terran Tank Division to retake it from the Traitors.