SHODAN was created on Earth to serve as the artificial intelligence of the TriOptimum Corporation's research and mining space station Citadel Station, which orbits around Saturn.
In another Origin Systems' game, Crusader: No Remorse, an article came bundled with the release of the game providing details on the unveiling of a confidential research endeavor known as Project: SHODAN from the Cybernetics Cartel in Chicago.