Here is a document received on 29 Dec. from DASA, which is entitled, “Operation
Fishbowl High Altitude Weapons Effects Test at Johnston Island," and is numbered
DASA 58629.
Bluegill)
The documents gives some details of the two events (Starfish and
:
HI
The warheads
and instrumentation pods are to be carried by suitably nodified Jot? Soosters and
conducted under JIF-8 control.
The purpose of the test is listed as satisfying
urgent JCS stated requirements for weapons effects data and includes data on ICBM
kill mechanisms, ABM effectiveness, etc. There is no mention of any Vela program
application or space testing techniques as a purpose of the test.
The estimated
cost of the two tests, including the carrier system, the measurement systems, and
the scientific programs, is 41.3 million dollars, of which about 18 million is for
the Thor and the pods and the associated launch system.
The four general categories
of scientific program to be supported by the DOD are blast and shock measurements;
nuclear radiation and effects; electric magnetic phenomena and effects on military
equipment; and thermal radiation and effects.
Specifics of the scientific data
gathering programs are contained in this document, along with the approximate costs,
and the sponsoring agencies and individuals involved.
The letter transmitting this document, came from Gen. Booth, Commander of DASA,
and gives Field Command, DASA, most of the control of the specifics and funding of
these tests.
29 Dec. 61, J-12 Report:
equipment”nk neutron flux
Wendall Biggers reports "Preliminary design of
and sprectrum measurements is preceeding assuming a
surface shot for the XW-50 X1Y2.
design.
Both water and land shots are considered in this
Experiments are being conducted to ascertain methods of shock mounting
nuclear emulsions so as to recover they,at distances like 200 ft. froma
shot ship board."
BY