Four Great Technological and Scientific Achievements of 1982

The Four Great Technological and Scientific Achievements of 1982 were a series of public demonstrations of post-Great War technological advancements made by Opthelia; its first nuclear weapons test (Operation New Year), its first domestically-produced aircraft carrier (the O.I.S. Albert IV), the first Opthelian in space (the orbital flight of Percy Willington), and its first computer network (the Opthelian Research Network). Relatively unhindered by the broader conflict occurring around them due to their withdrawal from the Great War in June of 1964 following the Telefar Agreement, and pressed to stimulate a post-war economy, large amounts of public funds were directed to both academic institutes and industry alike. While each individual demonstration was not the first of its kind, the four advancements are recognised together for the fact that Opthelia achieved them all independently of foreign assistance, and they have been credited for propelling the nation to the status of a global power.

Operation New Year

Operation New Year was Opthelia's first foray into demonstrating nuclear capability, with its inaugural test conducted on 1 January 1982. This move was in direct response to a perceived "nuclear test race" that had begun unfolding, following the first successful nuclear detonation by the Novella Islands in 1968. Opthelia's decision to develop nuclear weapons was driven by the need to affirm its sovereignty, and to deter potential aggressors amidst a landscape of proliferating nuclear powers.

Aided by its plentiful supplies of uranium on its south-western border with Glanainn, the Opthelian nuclear program was quickly able to develop an experimental research reactor by 1973. Following research, development, and refining of its nuclear physics practices, the construction of an enrichment facility was completed in 1976. The necessary fissile material for the initial planned series of tests was produced by 1980, and the assembly of the first New Year-type nuclear device was completed on 13 December 1981.

Opthelia's nuclear program conducted a total of 11 tests, culminating in its ascension to the Strategic Arms Limitation and Imposition on Emerging Nuclear Technologies (SALIENT) Treaty by the end of the same year. In 1983, Opthelia was one of the six nuclear powers to sign the International Agreement on the Limitation of Nuclear Testing (IALNT) Treaty, effectively ceasing further development of nuclear weapons. Despite the cessation, Opthelia continued to amass and maintain its legally-allowed stockpile of 200 nuclear warheads, all of the New Year-type, which it retains to this day.

O.I.S. Albert IV

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Orbital flight of Percy Willington

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Opthelian Research Network

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