Wal

Wal
Wal as seen from orbit.
Moon of Urlum
Orbital Characteristics
Semi-major axis		67 553 668 m
Apoapsis		69 107 402 m
Periapsis		65 999 934 m
Orbital eccentricity		0.023
Orbital inclination		1.9 °
Argument of periapsis		0 °
Longitude of the ascending node		40 °
Mean anomaly		2.962 rad (at 0s UT)
Sidereal orbital period		1 009 411 s
		46 d 4 h 23 m 30.8 s
Synodic orbital period		1 010 781.7 s
Orbital velocity		411 - 430 m/s
Longest time eclipsed		10 598 s
Physical Characteristics
Equatorial radius		370 000 m
Equatorial circumference		2 324 779 m
Surface area		1.7203361×1012 m2
Mass		7.4427673×1021 kg
Standard gravitational parameter		4.9673624×1011 m3/s2
Density		35 078.471 kg/m3
Surface gravity		3.63 m/s2 (0.37 g)
Escape velocity		1 638.62 m/s
Sidereal rotation period		1 009 410.8 s
		46 d 4 h 23 m 30.8 s
Sidereal rotational velocity		2.3031 m/s
Synchronous orbit		23 034.57 km
Sphere of influence		18 933 505 m
Atmospheric Characteristics
Atmosphere present		× No
Scientific multiplier
Surface		7.5
Splashed		N/A
Near space		10
Outer space		9
Recovery		9

Wal is a moon of Urlum. It has a moon itself, Tal. It is the biggest and most distant of the Urlumian moons, with slightly more than Duna's gravity. Its large number of biomes and sub-moon make it a particularly attractive member of the system to visit.

In-Game Description

“

Wal is instantly recognizable due to its walnut-like shape. Its multi-colored surface has led to it winning the title 'Most Beautiful Moon of the Year' two years in a row. Its distinctive equatorial ridge is likely to be caused by the tidal forces created by Wal's moon Tal. — Kerbal Astronomical Society

”

Physical Properties

Wal has a very striking appearance - a mish-mash of rocky material and golden-colored material with a large equatorial bulge or mountain range. This gives it a distinctive walnut shape, hence its name.

The density of the moon can indicate the following structure: an iron-nickel core that heats the interior, with a radius of 55.5 km; a rocky mantle, 296 km thick; and a rocky crust 18.5 km thick.

The surface of the moon is chemically complex, and is possibly made of several layers and types of rock. Surface layers may be exposed due to crater impacts, or the moon may be a combination of two large bodies that collided with each other. The latter theory is preferred, as it can correlate to the formation of Wal's moon, Tal.

The golden color of the surface may indicate that Tal came from Wal, ejected by impact.

Sub-Satellite

Wal has a moon itself, Tal, which orbits Wal while they both orbit Urlum. This is the only instance of a sub-satellite in the game.

Biomes

Wal has a total of 17 biomes.

Biome list

Wal biome map

Chronister Valley Misucat Valley Boreth Mountains Gault Mountains Pandro Mountains Manark Crater Chain Kessik Region Moach Region Diomedea Region Dozaria Region Volchok Region Eminiar Region Pooza Region Draylax Plains Soukara Plains Levinius Plain Andor Crater

Reference Frames

Time warp	Minimum Altitude
1×	Any
5×	6 938 m
10×	13 875 m
50×	27 750 m
100×	55 500 m
1 000×	111 000 m
10 000×	222 000 m
100 000×	444 000 m