maksatl

Maksatl is a fictional mineral that appears in science fiction and fantasy settings. In these works it is described as a rare, energy-dense silicate with a distinctive blue-green luminescence. Maksatl is commonly depicted as a primary power source for advanced technology, including spacecraft propulsion modules and autonomous energy cells.

In most narratives maksatl forms in dense hydrothermal systems on ocean worlds or within certain meteorite-bearing asteroid belts. Extraction is portrayed as technically demanding, requiring deep-sea rigs or orbital mining platforms and often implicating environmental or territorial disputes.

Chemically Maksatl is characterized by a silicon-oxygen framework with trace actinide or lanthanide dopants that give the glow. Reported properties vary by author, but typical values include a Mohs hardness around 6, high thermal stability, and a refractive index that makes it appear iridescent in UV light. Its energy density is a common plot point, though exact numbers differ between works.

Etymology: The name maksatl is constructed within the fiction, combining elements from a fictional language used by multiple authors' universes.

In fiction, maksatl serves as a plot device around resource scarcity and interstellar trade, sometimes raising ethical questions about mining, sovereignty, and technology access. It has appeared in several novels and games as a recurring element rather than a single canonical source.