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OTHER MAJOR ACTIVITIES
based on the idea that the tremendous and relatively inexpensive energy and phenomenareleased in a nuclear explosion can be used for
constructive purposes.
The program encompasses: laboratory research and analyses of
data; design, development, and testing of nuclear explosive devices
for peaceful purposes; and field experiments. Primary research and
development efforts are carried out at the Lawrence Radiation
Laboratory, Livermore, Calif. Other research and development is
underway at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tenn.;
the Sandia Laboratory Corp., Albuquerque, N. Mex.; and the Savannah River Laboratory, Aiken, S8.C.; and in the laboratories of
other Government agencies such as the U.S. Bureau of Mines, the
U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Public Health Service, the U.S.
Weather Bureau, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and in the
Laboratories of several contractors and sub-contractors. Field tests
involving nuclear explosives are carried out by the Nevada Operations
Office at the Nevada Test Site and at other locations. The San Francisco Operations Office has certain responsibilities for program and
policy development, especially concerning the use of nuclear explosives in cooperative projects with industry.
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APPLICATIONS UNDER STUDY
Nuclear explosions can be designed so that the explosion is controlled and the energy madeavailable for a specific purpose. Nuclear
explosions can be divided into two broad categories—contained explosions and cratering explosions. Contained nuclear explosions shatter
rock underground which could have value in mining and oil and gas
production. It also appears that certain valuable radioisotopes can
be produced in and recovered from contained nuclear detonations.
Most plans for using nuclear explosions for scientific research involve
contained detonations. Industrial uses for cratering explosions depend primarily upon using the energy from nuclear explosives to move
earth. In this way it appears possible to simplify construction of
harbors, transportation and water conveyance canals, and storage
reservoirs.
Status and Plans
Primary effort in 1963 was devoted to the development of nuclear
explosives for both scientific and industrial use, to research and
analysis of data from past field experiments, and to design of future
field experiments needed to acquire additional data. No nuclear field
experiments were conducted by the Plowshare Program in 1963,
except developmental tests of nuclear explosives.
Thestate of devel-