Archive:Mótlai

The Mótlai "Screamer," formally the MoɥtóoDiunhnoolai "Orbiting Broadcaster," was the first object successfully launched into extra-atmospheric orbit by Achiyitqana and one of the first man-made objects intentionally launched to the exosphere. Developed by POTka (predecessor to LALHA, it was launched on May 7th 1949 from Kiinápsk, Achiyitqana.

Construction and description

The construction of Mótlai took approximately [some reasonable number of] years and cost [a big money dollar amount]. Its external hull was made in as few pieces as possible.

Mótlai was teardrop-shaped with a diameter of about 30cm at the widest point and around 50cm in height for the main 'body,' with four one-metre-long antennae extending from the rounder end. It was a simple broadcasting device powered by a battery that was capable of limited regeneration, designed to last for about five years.

It earned its nickname "Screamer" due to the infamously irritating, loud, scratchy, multi-pitch audio signal it produced.

Flight

Mótlai remained in orbit for two years and sixty days, maintaining a distance of [something] for most of that time.

During its operation, it was independently verified by several nations that it had indeed broached the exosphere, and its regular radio signal allowed much data to be collected by the international community concerning orbits. Its average speed was clocked in at 22,100 km/h and it traveled nearly 400 million kilometres while in orbit.

Reentry and aftermath

Mótlai's orbit degraded more quickly than anticipated and it began to descend on July 6, 1951.

The antennae detached on reentry and the hull was also greatly damaged, leading to total loss of communications. It crash-landed into an island in the nation of Fádalh, where it caused limited property damage. It was not rediscovered by Achiyitqan authorities until August 1, at which time the owners of damaged property in Fádalh were compensated for approximately $4,100 USD.

Mótlai's remains were mostly distributed among the Fádalh islanders who discovered the crash site and have been kept as objects of curiosity or sold to private collectors and museums across the world.