approved proceeding for preparations for bio-environmental survey for
Project Chariot during the summer of 1960; approved an HE scaling
program; and noted that the Livermore Lab will continue the study in
development of the Ditchdigger device and probably undertake preliminary
field work for an experiment in late FY 1961.
Also it was noted the
State Department should be informed of the plans for Gnome and Chariot
and their advice sought as to whether to proceed with Ditchdigger.
Meeting #1590, 4 February 1960:
Further discussion of the Gnome shot and Plowshare gives a summary
of the objectives:
''(1)To exp’ore the feasibility of concluding nuclear
explosive energy into latent heat which would be available
of electric power;
for the production
(2) To investigate the feasibility of recovering from
natural salt useful isotopes produced by nuclear explosives; and (3) To
extent knowledge about characteristics of an underground explosion ina
medium (natural salt) having physical properties in marked contrast
to the only medium (volcanic tuff) for which such information is presently
available.'"'
Also note that the Commission felt at this meeting that it
probably would not be possible to conduct a Ditchdigger experiment in the
near future,
at least where the entire configuration of the tunnel and
instru: aentation could be open for inspection.
Meeting with NASA Representatives,
24 February 1960:
At this Commission meeting, Ff. Keith Glennan,
the Administrator of
NASA and several of his staff were in attendance and the Commissioners
covered a wide range of items where there was mutual interest and interaction
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