Meeting #1359, 21 April 58:
This was the first meeting at which the tests which later became
Argus, were brought up and the discussion was led by General Loper,
He discussed the proposal as it had already been presented to Killian and
Quarles, among othr pecple.
Noted was that the proposal and the concept
of the Argus effect came generally from Livermore and that LASL
that such possible tests certainly deserved serious consideration,
Mention was made that.the shots needed to be done at a much hipher
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altitude than those presently planned from Johnston Island and a
tentative detonation location in the South Atlantic was suggested.
‘
ST
The shot
was now planned in some detail , including the date (about 1 September),
the method of launch, the location, etc.
Loper said that after a decision
has been made to proceed with the shot,
the State Depa rtment , AEC,
|
and DOD could meet jointly with the President and Killian to obtain
Presidential approval.
"Strauss said he appreciated the importance
to US defense planning of the information to be obtained from the proposed
shot.
However, he expressed concern over the possible overtones of this
test and observed that if the shot were carried out at the proposed location,
the US would not be in a position to object to weapons testing by the USSR
in international waters. "
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