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Operation Plumbbob

Updated: Wikipedia source

Operation Plumbbob

Operation Plumbbob was a series of nuclear tests that were conducted between May 28 and October 7, 1957, at the Nevada Test Site, following Project 57, and preceding Project 58/58A.

Infobox

Country
United States
Test site
mw- NTS Area 12, Rainier Mesa NTS Areas 5, 11, Frenchman Flat NTS, Areas 1–4, 6–10, Yucca Flat
Period
1957
Number of tests
29
Test type
balloon, dry surface, high alt rocket (30–80 km), tower, underground shaft, tunnel
Max. yield
74 kilotonnes of TNT (310 TJ)

Tables

United States' Plumbbob series tests and detonations · List of tests
Boltzmann
Boltzmann
Name
Boltzmann
Date time (UT) (local: PST, −8 hrs)
May 28, 1957 11:55:00.2
Location
NTS Area 7c .mw- .mw- .mw- 37°05′41″N 116°01′28″W / 37.0947°N 116.0245°W / 37.0947; -116.0245 (Boltzmann)
Elevation + height
1,294 m (4,245 ft) + 150 m (490 ft)
Delivery Purpose
tower,weapons development
Device
XW-40
Yield
12 kt
Fallout
I-131 venting detected, 1.9 MCi (70 PBq)
Notes
XW-40 lightweight boosted fission warhead test.
Franklin
Franklin
Name
Franklin
Date time (UT) (local: PST, −8 hrs)
June 2, 1957 11:54:59.9
Location
NTS Area T3 37°02′52″N 116°01′19″W / 37.0477°N 116.022°W / 37.0477; -116.022 (Franklin)
Elevation + height
1,229 m (4,032 ft) + 90 m (300 ft)
Delivery Purpose
tower,weapons development
Device
XW-30 ?
Yield
140 t
Fallout
I-131 venting detected, 19 kCi (700 TBq)
Notes
XW-30 warhead test, fizzled. Retested successfully with Franklin Prime, with more fissile material in the core and different explosives.
Lassen
Lassen
Name
Lassen
Date time (UT) (local: PST, −8 hrs)
June 5, 1957 11:45:00.3
Location
NTS Area B9a ~ 37°08′05″N 116°02′30″W / 37.1347°N 116.0417°W / 37.1347; -116.0417 (Lassen)
Elevation + height
1,595 m (5,233 ft) + 150 m (490 ft)
Delivery Purpose
balloon,weapons development
Yield
600 t
Fallout
I-131 venting detected, 100 Ci (3,700 GBq)
Notes
Fizzle, unboosted all-oralloy small weapon design.
Wilson
Wilson
Name
Wilson
Date time (UT) (local: PST, −8 hrs)
June 18, 1957 11:45:00.3
Location
NTS Area B9a ~ 37°08′05″N 116°02′30″W / 37.1347°N 116.0417°W / 37.1347; -116.0417 (Wilson)
Elevation + height
1,589 m (5,213 ft) + 150 m (490 ft)
Delivery Purpose
balloon,weapons development
Device
XW-45X1
Yield
10 kt
Fallout
I-131 venting detected, 1.5 MCi (56 PBq)
Notes
XW-45X1 Swan test, gas-boosted composite pit.
Priscilla
Priscilla
Name
Priscilla
Date time (UT) (local: PST, −8 hrs)
June 24, 1957 13:30:00.1
Location
NTS Area 5 36°47′53″N 115°55′47″W / 36.798°N 115.9298°W / 36.798; -115.9298 (Priscilla)
Elevation + height
940 m (3,080 ft) + 210 m (690 ft)
Delivery Purpose
balloon,weapons development
Device
Mk-15/39 primary
Yield
37 kt
Fallout
I-131 venting detected, 5.8 MCi (210 PBq)
Notes
Effects shot with OTS weapon. Similar to that tested in Redwing Lacrosse.
Coulomb-A
Coulomb-A
Name
Coulomb-A
Date time (UT) (local: PST, −8 hrs)
July 1, 1957 17:30:??
Location
NTS Area S3h 37°03′11″N 116°02′02″W / 37.053°N 116.034°W / 37.053; -116.034 (Coulomb-A)
Elevation + height
1,231 m (4,039 ft) + 0
Delivery Purpose
dry surface,safety experiment
Device
XW-31
Yield
no yield
Notes
Safety experiment, successful.
Hood
Hood
Name
Hood
Date time (UT) (local: PST, −8 hrs)
July 5, 1957 11:40:00.1
Location
NTS Area B9a ~ 37°08′05″N 116°02′30″W / 37.1347°N 116.0417°W / 37.1347; -116.0417 (Hood)
Elevation + height
1,285 m (4,216 ft) + 460 m (1,510 ft)
Delivery Purpose
balloon,weapons development
Device
Swan primary and Whistle secondary. Full-scale test of device was Hardtack I Maple shot.
Yield
74 kt
Fallout
I-131 venting detected, 11 MCi (410 PBq)
Notes
Largest atmospheric test in CONUS. Was a 2-stage thermonuclear device, even though AEC stated that no thermonuclear devices were being tested at the NTS. Desert Rock VII.
Diablo
Diablo
Name
Diablo
Date time (UT) (local: PST, −8 hrs)
July 15, 1957 11:30:00.1
Location
NTS Area T2b 37°09′01″N 116°06′34″W / 37.1502°N 116.1095°W / 37.1502; -116.1095 (Diablo)
Elevation + height
1,367 m (4,485 ft) + 150 m (490 ft)
Delivery Purpose
tower,weapons development
Device
Swan
Yield
17 kt
Fallout
I-131 venting detected, 2.5 MCi (93 PBq)
Notes
Very similar to the Shasta test device. 2 stage. Misfired at first firing attempt three days earlier.
John
John
Name
John
Date time (UT) (local: PST, −8 hrs)
July 19, 1957 14:00:04.6
Location
Launch from NTS, Areas 1–4, 6–10, Yucca Flat: 10 37°00′00″N 116°03′14″W / 37°N 116.0539°W / 37; -116.0539 (Launch_John), elv: 1,220 + 5,600 m (4,000 + 18,370 ft);Detonation over NTS 37°09′38″N 116°03′14″W / 37.1605°N 116.0539°W / 37.1605; -116.0539 (John)
Elevation + height
1,280 m (4,200 ft) + 5,639 m (18,501 ft)
Delivery Purpose
Air launched rocket, weapon effect
Device
W-25
Yield
2 kt
Fallout
I-131 venting detected, 6.1MCi?
Notes
Proof test of AIR-2A Genie air-to-air rocket. Test made famous by five USAF officers and a videographer standing at ground zero below the hypocentre and during the detonation, flash and blast.
Kepler
Kepler
Name
Kepler
Date time (UT) (local: PST, −8 hrs)
July 24, 1957 11:49:59.9
Location
NTS Area 4 37°05′44″N 116°06′13″W / 37.09549°N 116.10354°W / 37.09549; -116.10354 (Kepler)
Elevation + height
1,318 m (4,324 ft) + 150 m (490 ft)
Delivery Purpose
tower,weapons development
Device
XW-35 primary?
Yield
10 kt
Fallout
I-131 venting detected, 1.7 MCi (63 PBq)
Notes
ICBM warhead, similar to Hardtack I/Koa.
Owens
Owens
Name
Owens
Date time (UT) (local: PST, −8 hrs)
July 25, 1957 13:29:59.7
Location
NTS Area B9b ~ 37°08′05″N 116°02′30″W / 37.1347°N 116.0417°W / 37.1347; -116.0417 (Owens)
Elevation + height
1,260 m (4,130 ft) + 150 m (490 ft)
Delivery Purpose
balloon,weapons development
Device
XW-51 ?
Yield
9.7 kt
Fallout
I-131 venting detected, 1.7 MCi (63 PBq)
Notes
Very small boosted plutonium device, XW-51 progenitor.
mw- } }Pascal-A
mw- } }Pascal-A
Name
mw- } }Pascal-A
Date time (UT) (local: PST, −8 hrs)
July 26, 1957 08:00:00.0
Location
NTS Area U3j 37°03′06″N 116°02′03″W / 37.05175°N 116.03415°W / 37.05175; -116.03415 (Pascal-A)
Elevation + height
1,202 m (3,944 ft)–150 m (490 ft)
Delivery Purpose
underground shaft,safety experiment
Yield
55 t
Fallout
I-131 venting detected, 10 kCi (370 TBq)
Notes
Originally Galileo A. One-point safety experiment, failure. Expected yield was less than 1 kg. A concrete cylinder perhaps 2 m (6 ft 7 in) thick 100 m (330 ft) up the tube disappeared.
Stokes
Stokes
Name
Stokes
Date time (UT) (local: PST, −8 hrs)
August 7, 1957 12:25:00.2
Location
NTS Area B7b ~ 37°05′12″N 116°01′28″W / 37.0866°N 116.0245°W / 37.0866; -116.0245 (Stokes)
Elevation + height
1,250 m (4,100 ft) + 460 m (1,510 ft)
Delivery Purpose
balloon,weapons development
Device
XW-30
Yield
19 kt
Fallout
I-131 venting detected, 2.8 MCi (100 PBq)
Notes
Tactical Atomic Demolition Munition (TADM) and Talos SAM warhead.
Saturn
Saturn
Name
Saturn
Date time (UT) (local: PST, −8 hrs)
August 10, 1957 00:59:55.1
Location
NTS Area U12c.02 37°11′37″N 116°12′02″W / 37.19355°N 116.20059°W / 37.19355; -116.20059 (Saturn)
Elevation + height
1,231 m (4,039 ft)–39.01 m (128.0 ft)
Delivery Purpose
tunnel,safety experiment
Device
XW-45X1
Yield
50 kg
Notes
One-point safety experiment; first shot in a Rainier tunnel.
Shasta
Shasta
Name
Shasta
Date time (UT) (local: PST, −8 hrs)
August 18, 1957 12:00:00.0
Location
NTS Area 2a 37°07′41″N 116°06′26″W / 37.128°N 116.1073°W / 37.128; -116.1073 (Shasta)
Elevation + height
1,339 m (4,393 ft) + 150 m (490 ft)
Delivery Purpose
tower,weapons development
Device
Swan
Yield
17 kt
Fallout
I-131 venting detected, 2.5 MCi (93 PBq)
Notes
2 stage thermonuclear design.
Doppler
Doppler
Name
Doppler
Date time (UT) (local: PST, −8 hrs)
August 23, 1957 12:30:00.1
Location
NTS Area B7b ~ 37°05′12″N 116°01′28″W / 37.0866°N 116.0245°W / 37.0866; -116.0245 (Doppler)
Elevation + height
1,282 m (4,206 ft) + 460 m (1,510 ft)
Delivery Purpose
balloon,weapons development
Device
XW-34 ?
Yield
11 kt
Fallout
I-131 venting detected, 1.7 MCi (63 PBq)
Notes
LASL gas boosted implosion device, possible XW-34 test.
Pascal-B
Pascal-B
Name
Pascal-B
Date time (UT) (local: PST, −8 hrs)
August 27, 1957 22:35:00.0
Location
NTS Area U3d 37°02′57″N 116°02′05″W / 37.04903°N 116.0347°W / 37.04903; -116.0347 (Pascal-B)
Elevation + height
1,229 m (4,032 ft)–150 m (490 ft)
Delivery Purpose
underground shaft,safety experiment
Yield
300 t
Notes
Shaft safety experiment, failed. Sent the shaft cap weighing several hundred pounds (1 ton) at velocity very roughly pre-calculated as 66 km/s (41 mi/s); popular claims of it reaching space are disputed, see section above.
Franklin Prime
Franklin Prime
Name
Franklin Prime
Date time (UT) (local: PST, −8 hrs)
August 30, 1957 12:39:59.9
Location
NTS Area B7b ~ 37°05′12″N 116°01′28″W / 37.0866°N 116.0245°W / 37.0866; -116.0245 (Franklin Prime)
Elevation + height
1,282 m (4,206 ft) + 230 m (750 ft)
Delivery Purpose
balloon,weapons development
Yield
4.7 kt
Fallout
I-131 venting detected, 690 kCi (26,000 TBq)
Notes
Retest of Franklin with more U-235.
Smoky
Smoky
Name
Smoky
Date time (UT) (local: PST, −8 hrs)
August 31, 1957 12:30:00.0
Location
NTS Area T2c 37°11′14″N 116°04′08″W / 37.18712°N 116.06887°W / 37.18712; -116.06887 (Smoky)
Elevation + height
1,367 m (4,485 ft) + 210 m (690 ft)
Delivery Purpose
tower,weapons development
Device
TX-41 primary
Yield
44 kt
Fallout
I-131 venting detected, 6.4 MCi (240 PBq)
Notes
2 stages of 3 stage thermonuke, similar to Redwing/Zuni and Tewa. Desert Rock VII; 3000 servicemen irradiated; 10 of 4 expected leukemia cases in the 80s. Last pristine air-drop location at the NTS.
Galileo
Galileo
Name
Galileo
Date time (UT) (local: PST, −8 hrs)
September 2, 1957 12:40:00.0
Location
NTS Area T1 37°03′11″N 116°06′12″W / 37.053°N 116.1034°W / 37.053; -116.1034 (Galileo)
Elevation + height
1,294 m (4,245 ft) + 150 m (490 ft)
Delivery Purpose
tower,weapons development
Yield
11 kt
Fallout
I-131 venting detected, 1.9 MCi (70 PBq)
Notes
LASL diagnostic/exploratory test of boosted fission device. Desert Rock VIII.
Wheeler
Wheeler
Name
Wheeler
Date time (UT) (local: PST, −8 hrs)
September 6, 1957 12:45:00.0
Location
NTS Area B9a ~ 37°08′05″N 116°02′30″W / 37.1347°N 116.0417°W / 37.1347; -116.0417 (Wheeler)
Elevation + height
1,286 m (4,219 ft) + 150 m (490 ft)
Delivery Purpose
balloon,weapons development
Device
XW-51 ?
Yield
197 t
Fallout
I-131 venting detected, 27 kCi (1,000 TBq)
Notes
Retest of redesigned Lassen device, possible XW-51 air-to-air warhead progenitor.
Coulomb-B
Coulomb-B
Name
Coulomb-B
Date time (UT) (local: PST, −8 hrs)
September 6, 1957 20:05:00.6
Location
NTS Area S3g 37°02′34″N 116°01′40″W / 37.0427°N 116.0277°W / 37.0427; -116.0277 (Coulomb-B)
Elevation + height
1,225 m (4,019 ft) + 0
Delivery Purpose
dry surface,safety experiment
Device
XW-31
Yield
300 t
Fallout
I-131 venting detected, 42 kCi (1,600 TBq)
Notes
One-point safety experiment, high limits test, expected 1 kg TNT equivalent, max .2 kt - failure.
Laplace
Laplace
Name
Laplace
Date time (UT) (local: PST, −8 hrs)
September 8, 1957 12:59:59.8
Location
NTS Area B7b ~ 37°05′12″N 116°01′28″W / 37.0866°N 116.0245°W / 37.0866; -116.0245 (Laplace)
Elevation + height
1,282 m (4,206 ft) + 230 m (750 ft)
Delivery Purpose
balloon,weapons development
Device
XW-33 "Fleegle"
Yield
1 kt
Fallout
I-131 venting detected, 140 kCi (5,200 TBq)
Notes
Oralloy gun-type device, for a nuclear artillery shell. The third of only four gun-type weapons, with Little Boy, Grable and Aardvark.
Fizeau
Fizeau
Name
Fizeau
Date time (UT) (local: PST, −8 hrs)
September 14, 1957 16:44:59.8
Location
NTS Area T3b 37°02′01″N 116°01′56″W / 37.0336°N 116.0323°W / 37.0336; -116.0323 (Fizeau)
Elevation + height
1,220 m (4,000 ft) + 150 m (490 ft)
Delivery Purpose
tower,weapons development
Device
XW-34 ?
Yield
11 kt
Fallout
I-131 venting detected, 1.7 MCi (63 PBq)
Notes
LASL boosted fission device. Possibly a test of the XW-34 depth bomb.
Newton
Newton
Name
Newton
Date time (UT) (local: PST, −8 hrs)
September 16, 1957 12:49:59.9
Location
NTS Area B7a ~ 37°05′12″N 116°01′28″W / 37.0866°N 116.0245°W / 37.0866; -116.0245 (Newton)
Elevation + height
1,282 m (4,206 ft) + 460 m (1,510 ft)
Delivery Purpose
balloon,weapons development
Device
XW-31
Yield
12 kt
Fallout
I-131 venting detected, 2.1 MCi (78 PBq)
Notes
LASL test of XW-31 variant, boosted primary in thermonuclear system mockup. Sounds like a fizzle, but no one says so.
Rainier
Rainier
Name
Rainier
Date time (UT) (local: PST, −8 hrs)
September 19, 1957 16:59:59.45
Location
NTS Area U12b 37°11′45″N 116°12′15″W / 37.19573°N 116.20404°W / 37.19573; -116.20404 (Rainier)
Elevation + height
2,295 m (7,530 ft)–272.8 m (895 ft)
Delivery Purpose
tunnel,weapons development
Device
W-25
Yield
1.7 kt
Notes
First US underground nuclear test. Evaluate containment and detection of underground testing, formed a chimney of broken rock which provided data on possible underground engineering applications of nuclear explosives.
Whitney
Whitney
Name
Whitney
Date time (UT) (local: PST, −8 hrs)
September 23, 1957 12:29:59.8
Location
NTS Area T2 37°08′18″N 116°07′06″W / 37.1383°N 116.1184°W / 37.1383; -116.1184 (Whitney)
Elevation + height
1,370 m (4,490 ft) + 150 m (490 ft)
Delivery Purpose
tower,weapons development
Device
W27 primary
Yield
19 kt
Fallout
I-131 venting detected, 2.9 MCi (110 PBq)
Notes
Test of boosted Swan primary in W-27 thermonuclear system mockup.
Charleston
Charleston
Name
Charleston
Date time (UT) (local: PST, −8 hrs)
September 28, 1957 12:59:59.9
Location
NTS Area B9a ~ 37°08′05″N 116°02′30″W / 37.1347°N 116.0417°W / 37.1347; -116.0417 (Charleston)
Elevation + height
1,285 m (4,216 ft) + 460 m (1,510 ft)
Delivery Purpose
balloon,weapons development
Yield
12 kt
Fallout
I-131 venting detected, 1.8 MCi (67 PBq)
Notes
UCRL test of a small "clean" tactical 2-stage thermonuclear device. Device fizzled when second stage failed to fire.
Morgan
Morgan
Name
Morgan
Date time (UT) (local: PST, −8 hrs)
October 7, 1957 13:00:00.1
Location
NTS Area B9a ~ 37°08′05″N 116°02′30″W / 37.1347°N 116.0417°W / 37.1347; -116.0417 (Morgan)
Elevation + height
1,285 m (4,216 ft) + 150 m (490 ft)
Delivery Purpose
balloon,weapons development
Device
XW-45X1 Swan/Flamingo
Yield
8 kt
Fallout
I-131 venting detected, 1.2 MCi (44 PBq)
Name
Date time (UT) (local: PST, −8 hrs)
Location
Elevation + height
Delivery Purpose
Device
Yield
Fallout
References
Notes
Boltzmann
May 28, 1957 11:55:00.2
NTS Area 7c .mw- 37°05′41″N 116°01′28″W / 37.0947°N 116.0245°W / 37.0947; -116.0245 (Boltzmann)
1,294 m (4,245 ft) + 150 m (490 ft)
tower,weapons development
XW-40
12 kt
I-131 venting detected, 1.9 MCi (70 PBq)
XW-40 lightweight boosted fission warhead test.
Franklin
June 2, 1957 11:54:59.9
NTS Area T3 37°02′52″N 116°01′19″W / 37.0477°N 116.022°W / 37.0477; -116.022 (Franklin)
1,229 m (4,032 ft) + 90 m (300 ft)
tower,weapons development
XW-30 ?
140 t
I-131 venting detected, 19 kCi (700 TBq)
XW-30 warhead test, fizzled. Retested successfully with Franklin Prime, with more fissile material in the core and different explosives.
Lassen
June 5, 1957 11:45:00.3
NTS Area B9a ~ 37°08′05″N 116°02′30″W / 37.1347°N 116.0417°W / 37.1347; -116.0417 (Lassen)
1,595 m (5,233 ft) + 150 m (490 ft)
balloon,weapons development
600 t
I-131 venting detected, 100 Ci (3,700 GBq)
Fizzle, unboosted all-oralloy small weapon design.
Wilson
June 18, 1957 11:45:00.3
NTS Area B9a ~ 37°08′05″N 116°02′30″W / 37.1347°N 116.0417°W / 37.1347; -116.0417 (Wilson)
1,589 m (5,213 ft) + 150 m (490 ft)
balloon,weapons development
XW-45X1
10 kt
I-131 venting detected, 1.5 MCi (56 PBq)
XW-45X1 Swan test, gas-boosted composite pit.
Priscilla
June 24, 1957 13:30:00.1
NTS Area 5 36°47′53″N 115°55′47″W / 36.798°N 115.9298°W / 36.798; -115.9298 (Priscilla)
940 m (3,080 ft) + 210 m (690 ft)
balloon,weapons development
Mk-15/39 primary
37 kt
I-131 venting detected, 5.8 MCi (210 PBq)
Effects shot with OTS weapon. Similar to that tested in Redwing Lacrosse.
Coulomb-A
July 1, 1957 17:30:??
NTS Area S3h 37°03′11″N 116°02′02″W / 37.053°N 116.034°W / 37.053; -116.034 (Coulomb-A)
1,231 m (4,039 ft) + 0
dry surface,safety experiment
XW-31
no yield
Safety experiment, successful.
Hood
July 5, 1957 11:40:00.1
NTS Area B9a ~ 37°08′05″N 116°02′30″W / 37.1347°N 116.0417°W / 37.1347; -116.0417 (Hood)
1,285 m (4,216 ft) + 460 m (1,510 ft)
balloon,weapons development
Swan primary and Whistle secondary. Full-scale test of device was Hardtack I Maple shot.
74 kt
I-131 venting detected, 11 MCi (410 PBq)
Largest atmospheric test in CONUS. Was a 2-stage thermonuclear device, even though AEC stated that no thermonuclear devices were being tested at the NTS. Desert Rock VII.
Diablo
July 15, 1957 11:30:00.1
NTS Area T2b 37°09′01″N 116°06′34″W / 37.1502°N 116.1095°W / 37.1502; -116.1095 (Diablo)
1,367 m (4,485 ft) + 150 m (490 ft)
tower,weapons development
Swan
17 kt
I-131 venting detected, 2.5 MCi (93 PBq)
Very similar to the Shasta test device. 2 stage. Misfired at first firing attempt three days earlier.
John
July 19, 1957 14:00:04.6
Launch from NTS, Areas 1–4, 6–10, Yucca Flat: 10 37°00′00″N 116°03′14″W / 37°N 116.0539°W / 37; -116.0539 (Launch_John), elv: 1,220 + 5,600 m (4,000 + 18,370 ft);Detonation over NTS 37°09′38″N 116°03′14″W / 37.1605°N 116.0539°W / 37.1605; -116.0539 (John)
1,280 m (4,200 ft) + 5,639 m (18,501 ft)
Air launched rocket, weapon effect
W-25
2 kt
I-131 venting detected, 6.1MCi?
Proof test of AIR-2A Genie air-to-air rocket. Test made famous by five USAF officers and a videographer standing at ground zero below the hypocentre and during the detonation, flash and blast.
Kepler
July 24, 1957 11:49:59.9
NTS Area 4 37°05′44″N 116°06′13″W / 37.09549°N 116.10354°W / 37.09549; -116.10354 (Kepler)
1,318 m (4,324 ft) + 150 m (490 ft)
tower,weapons development
XW-35 primary?
10 kt
I-131 venting detected, 1.7 MCi (63 PBq)
ICBM warhead, similar to Hardtack I/Koa.
Owens
July 25, 1957 13:29:59.7
NTS Area B9b ~ 37°08′05″N 116°02′30″W / 37.1347°N 116.0417°W / 37.1347; -116.0417 (Owens)
1,260 m (4,130 ft) + 150 m (490 ft)
balloon,weapons development
XW-51 ?
9.7 kt
I-131 venting detected, 1.7 MCi (63 PBq)
Very small boosted plutonium device, XW-51 progenitor.
mw- } }Pascal-A
July 26, 1957 08:00:00.0
NTS Area U3j 37°03′06″N 116°02′03″W / 37.05175°N 116.03415°W / 37.05175; -116.03415 (Pascal-A)
1,202 m (3,944 ft)–150 m (490 ft)
underground shaft,safety experiment
55 t
I-131 venting detected, 10 kCi (370 TBq)
Originally Galileo A. One-point safety experiment, failure. Expected yield was less than 1 kg. A concrete cylinder perhaps 2 m (6 ft 7 in) thick 100 m (330 ft) up the tube disappeared.
Stokes
August 7, 1957 12:25:00.2
NTS Area B7b ~ 37°05′12″N 116°01′28″W / 37.0866°N 116.0245°W / 37.0866; -116.0245 (Stokes)
1,250 m (4,100 ft) + 460 m (1,510 ft)
balloon,weapons development
XW-30
19 kt
I-131 venting detected, 2.8 MCi (100 PBq)
Tactical Atomic Demolition Munition (TADM) and Talos SAM warhead.
Saturn
August 10, 1957 00:59:55.1
NTS Area U12c.02 37°11′37″N 116°12′02″W / 37.19355°N 116.20059°W / 37.19355; -116.20059 (Saturn)
1,231 m (4,039 ft)–39.01 m (128.0 ft)
tunnel,safety experiment
XW-45X1
50 kg
One-point safety experiment; first shot in a Rainier tunnel.
Shasta
August 18, 1957 12:00:00.0
NTS Area 2a 37°07′41″N 116°06′26″W / 37.128°N 116.1073°W / 37.128; -116.1073 (Shasta)
1,339 m (4,393 ft) + 150 m (490 ft)
tower,weapons development
Swan
17 kt
I-131 venting detected, 2.5 MCi (93 PBq)
2 stage thermonuclear design.
Doppler
August 23, 1957 12:30:00.1
NTS Area B7b ~ 37°05′12″N 116°01′28″W / 37.0866°N 116.0245°W / 37.0866; -116.0245 (Doppler)
1,282 m (4,206 ft) + 460 m (1,510 ft)
balloon,weapons development
XW-34 ?
11 kt
I-131 venting detected, 1.7 MCi (63 PBq)
LASL gas boosted implosion device, possible XW-34 test.
Pascal-B
August 27, 1957 22:35:00.0
NTS Area U3d 37°02′57″N 116°02′05″W / 37.04903°N 116.0347°W / 37.04903; -116.0347 (Pascal-B)
1,229 m (4,032 ft)–150 m (490 ft)
underground shaft,safety experiment
300 t
Shaft safety experiment, failed. Sent the shaft cap weighing several hundred pounds (1 ton) at velocity very roughly pre-calculated as 66 km/s (41 mi/s); popular claims of it reaching space are disputed, see section above.
Franklin Prime
August 30, 1957 12:39:59.9
NTS Area B7b ~ 37°05′12″N 116°01′28″W / 37.0866°N 116.0245°W / 37.0866; -116.0245 (Franklin Prime)
1,282 m (4,206 ft) + 230 m (750 ft)
balloon,weapons development
4.7 kt
I-131 venting detected, 690 kCi (26,000 TBq)
Retest of Franklin with more U-235.
Smoky
August 31, 1957 12:30:00.0
NTS Area T2c 37°11′14″N 116°04′08″W / 37.18712°N 116.06887°W / 37.18712; -116.06887 (Smoky)
1,367 m (4,485 ft) + 210 m (690 ft)
tower,weapons development
TX-41 primary
44 kt
I-131 venting detected, 6.4 MCi (240 PBq)
2 stages of 3 stage thermonuke, similar to Redwing/Zuni and Tewa. Desert Rock VII; 3000 servicemen irradiated; 10 of 4 expected leukemia cases in the 80s. Last pristine air-drop location at the NTS.
Galileo
September 2, 1957 12:40:00.0
NTS Area T1 37°03′11″N 116°06′12″W / 37.053°N 116.1034°W / 37.053; -116.1034 (Galileo)
1,294 m (4,245 ft) + 150 m (490 ft)
tower,weapons development
11 kt
I-131 venting detected, 1.9 MCi (70 PBq)
LASL diagnostic/exploratory test of boosted fission device. Desert Rock VIII.
Wheeler
September 6, 1957 12:45:00.0
NTS Area B9a ~ 37°08′05″N 116°02′30″W / 37.1347°N 116.0417°W / 37.1347; -116.0417 (Wheeler)
1,286 m (4,219 ft) + 150 m (490 ft)
balloon,weapons development
XW-51 ?
197 t
I-131 venting detected, 27 kCi (1,000 TBq)
Retest of redesigned Lassen device, possible XW-51 air-to-air warhead progenitor.
Coulomb-B
September 6, 1957 20:05:00.6
NTS Area S3g 37°02′34″N 116°01′40″W / 37.0427°N 116.0277°W / 37.0427; -116.0277 (Coulomb-B)
1,225 m (4,019 ft) + 0
dry surface,safety experiment
XW-31
300 t
I-131 venting detected, 42 kCi (1,600 TBq)
One-point safety experiment, high limits test, expected 1 kg TNT equivalent, max kt - failure.
Laplace
September 8, 1957 12:59:59.8
NTS Area B7b ~ 37°05′12″N 116°01′28″W / 37.0866°N 116.0245°W / 37.0866; -116.0245 (Laplace)
1,282 m (4,206 ft) + 230 m (750 ft)
balloon,weapons development
XW-33 "Fleegle"
1 kt
I-131 venting detected, 140 kCi (5,200 TBq)
Oralloy gun-type device, for a nuclear artillery shell. The third of only four gun-type weapons, with Little Boy, Grable and Aardvark.
Fizeau
September 14, 1957 16:44:59.8
NTS Area T3b 37°02′01″N 116°01′56″W / 37.0336°N 116.0323°W / 37.0336; -116.0323 (Fizeau)
1,220 m (4,000 ft) + 150 m (490 ft)
tower,weapons development
XW-34 ?
11 kt
I-131 venting detected, 1.7 MCi (63 PBq)
LASL boosted fission device. Possibly a test of the XW-34 depth bomb.
Newton
September 16, 1957 12:49:59.9
NTS Area B7a ~ 37°05′12″N 116°01′28″W / 37.0866°N 116.0245°W / 37.0866; -116.0245 (Newton)
1,282 m (4,206 ft) + 460 m (1,510 ft)
balloon,weapons development
XW-31
12 kt
I-131 venting detected, 2.1 MCi (78 PBq)
LASL test of XW-31 variant, boosted primary in thermonuclear system mockup. Sounds like a fizzle, but no one says so.
Rainier
September 19, 1957 16:59:59.45
NTS Area U12b 37°11′45″N 116°12′15″W / 37.19573°N 116.20404°W / 37.19573; -116.20404 (Rainier)
2,295 m (7,530 ft)–272.8 m (895 ft)
tunnel,weapons development
W-25
1.7 kt
First US underground nuclear test. Evaluate containment and detection of underground testing, formed a chimney of broken rock which provided data on possible underground engineering applications of nuclear explosives.
Whitney
September 23, 1957 12:29:59.8
NTS Area T2 37°08′18″N 116°07′06″W / 37.1383°N 116.1184°W / 37.1383; -116.1184 (Whitney)
1,370 m (4,490 ft) + 150 m (490 ft)
tower,weapons development
W27 primary
19 kt
I-131 venting detected, 2.9 MCi (110 PBq)
Test of boosted Swan primary in W-27 thermonuclear system mockup.
Charleston
September 28, 1957 12:59:59.9
NTS Area B9a ~ 37°08′05″N 116°02′30″W / 37.1347°N 116.0417°W / 37.1347; -116.0417 (Charleston)
1,285 m (4,216 ft) + 460 m (1,510 ft)
balloon,weapons development
12 kt
I-131 venting detected, 1.8 MCi (67 PBq)
UCRL test of a small "clean" tactical 2-stage thermonuclear device. Device fizzled when second stage failed to fire.
Morgan
October 7, 1957 13:00:00.1
NTS Area B9a ~ 37°08′05″N 116°02′30″W / 37.1347°N 116.0417°W / 37.1347; -116.0417 (Morgan)
1,285 m (4,216 ft) + 150 m (490 ft)
balloon,weapons development
XW-45X1 Swan/Flamingo
8 kt
I-131 venting detected, 1.2 MCi (44 PBq)

References

  1. "Time Zone Historical Database"
    http://www.ietf.org/timezones/
  2. Rough place name and a latitude/longitude reference; for rocket-carried tests, the launch location is specified before t
  3. Elevation is the ground level at the point directly below the explosion relative to sea level; height is the additional
  4. Atmospheric, airdrop, balloon, gun, cruise missile, rocket, surface, tower, and barge have all been disallowed by the Pa
  5. Include weapons development, weapon effects, safety test, transport safety test, war, science, joint verification and in
  6. Designations for test items where known, "?" indicates some uncertainty about the preceding value, nicknames for particu
  7. Estimated energy yield in tons or kilotons. A ton of TNT equivalent is defined as 4.184 gigajoules (1 gigacalorie).
  8. Radioactive emission to the atmosphere aside from prompt neutrons, where known. The measured species is only iodine 131
  9. CMR Nuclear Explosion Database (Revision 3)
  10. Dark Circle
    https://www.pbs.org/pov/films/darkcircle/
  11. NPR
    https://www.npr.org/blogs/krulwich/2012/07/16/156851175/five-men-agree-to-stand-directly-under-an-exploding-nuclear-bomb
  12. "George Yoshitake, Nuclear Test Photographer, Recalls Filming Nuclear Blast 55 Years Ago"
    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/20/george-yoshitake-nuclear-test-five-5-men-nevada_n_1687233.html
  13. Dallas Morning News
    http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/dallasmorningnews/obituary.aspx?pid=173687969
  14. Lompoc Record
    http://www.lompocrecord.com/lifestyles/announcements/obituaries/akira-george-yoshitake/article_e7d7490d-8347-5fab-a8ed-6e0adf725271.html
  15. Nuclear Weapon Archive
    http://nuclearweaponarchive.org/Usa/Tests/Plumbob.html
  16. The Register
    https://www.theregister.com/2015/07/16/america_soviets_space_race/
  17. Tech Insider - www.businessinsider.com Business Insider
    https://www.businessinsider.com/fastest-object-robert-brownlee-2016-2?r=US&IR=T#brownlee-wanted-to-measure-how-fast-the-iron-cap-flew-off-the-column-so-he-designed-a-second-experiment-pascal-b-9
  18. "Learning to Contain Underground Nuclear Explosions"
    http://nuclearweaponarchive.org/Usa/Tests/Brownlee.html
  19. Plumbbob Series, 1957 Final
    http://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a107317.pdf
  20. Estimated exposures and thyroid doses received by the American people from Iodine-131 in fallout following Nevada atmospheric nuclear bomb tests
    https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/radiation/i131-report-and-appendix
  21. Nuclear Weapons Archive
    http://www.nuclearweaponarchive.org/Usa/Tests
  22. The Swords of Armageddon, Vol. 8
  23. United States Nuclear Tests: July 1945 through September 1992
    https://web.archive.org/web/20061012160826/http://www.nv.doe.gov/library/publications/historical/DOENV_209_REV15.pdf
  24. Nuclear Weapons Databook Working Paper
    https://web.archive.org/web/20131029194805/http://docs.nrdc.org/nuclear/files/nuc_02019401a_121.pdf
  25. Swords of Armageddon
  26. Official list of underground nuclear explosions
    http://nuclearweaponarchive.org/Usa/Tests/Nevada.html
  27. Shot Smoky: A Test of the Plumbbob Series, 31 August 1957 (DNA-6004F)
    https://hdl.handle.net/2027%2Fuiug.30112075684347
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