JANUARY—DECEMBER 1963
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as the limited nuclear Test Ban Treaty, the Commission deferred
Project Schooner in favor of concentrating on the development of
nuclear explosives with less radioactivity, smaller scale experiments
in excavation, and experiments in scientific and other engineering
applications.
Concepts of small-scale excavation experiments are presently under
development by LRL to provide data on point-charge and row-charge
detonations.
Such experiments probably would be conducted at the
Nevada Test Site and because of their relatively small size, they would
not require elaborate preparations.
Large-scale experiments will be necessary to confirm extrapolations
of theory to yields of 100 kilotons and above. Plans for such experiments will continue to be ceveloped.
Since a row of nuclear explosives has never been simultaneously
detonated, experimentsin this area are particularly necessary. There
are four main variables in the basic phenomena of using row charges:
(1) Dimensions of elongated craters as a function of yield, depth of
burial, and spacing of charges;
(2) Amountof radioactivity vented from such detonations;
(3) Effect of uneven terrain on crater size and slope stability; and
(4) Effect of cratering through different media.
The code name Buggyis nowassociated with the experiment which
would study the first two variables. Galley is the code name nowassociated with the experiment which wouldbe designed to study the last
two variables. The magnitude and location of these experiments
have not yet been determined.
CoNTAINED EXPLOSIONS
One clearly proven use for contained nuclear explosions is scientific
research. Nuclear explosives used in an underground environment
constitute a new and unique scientific laboratory. Most experiments
being designed to make use of the tremendous number of neutrons
produced in a nuclear explosion, which is many orders of magnitude
higher than that available from any other known neutron source. Because of the tremendous flux, it appears possible to produce some
isotopes of the very heavy elements which cannot be madein any other
way. The neutrons also can be used to xtudy neutron spectroscopy,
fission processes, neutron-neutron reactions, and other areas essential
to the field of nuclear science. Many experiments maynot be possible
by any other means. The extremely high temperatures and pressures
created holdinterest for investigating basic chemical reactions which
eannot be otherwise accomplished.
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