3 needs immediate lab requirements 14 September McCraw (ALOO) to labs: 14 September TWX from Schwartz (SLA) to Betts: under various conditions: df pile. from weapons production system and stock For test capabilities ad -- 90 days 1). Balloon tests lead times 3 weeks at NTS at EPG. 2). Exoatmospheric (50 to 1000 km): - 8 months --J. I. Thor plus rocket diagnostics: 6 mos. --Polaris from ship: smaller payload but <6 3). Outer space: 14 Septenber ~ _LASL Ogle talked with Col. Kiley (DASA) about S7's. shots und rgro unde or monit to desired them available Some (but but didn't want to make a formal request. Qs, 18 - 24 months a but at least not all) of them were off to Australi one would be around for our first shot. In a 14 September TWXSchwartz of Sandia gives his, feelings to General Betts of the atmospheric testing capabilities under various considerations. He discusses surface testing using balloons and feels that a response time for the NTS be about 3 weeks whereas for EPG it would be about 90 days. On the subject of high altitude and outer space testing he notes the availability fi of Thor and Atlas boosters to lift various size payloads to the desired ‘ altitudes. He further notes the availability of small rockets and dicaps for diagnostics. As for response times it is estimated that using only ground based instrumentation or companion rockets Thors could perform high altitude testing from Johnston Isiand in about 6 to 8 months and using onboard instrumentation and dicaps probably would require about 12 to 18 months. Smaller payloads might be tested by launching them from the Polaris launched from the Norton Sound or a operational submarine on a shorter time scale. Area of outer space testing which would allow testing of yields one megaton or larger it is estimated that 18 to 24 months would be required to develop a site and prepare for such shots. The first proposed shot is to be a LASL device planned for 14 Sept. in existing hole U3-AC, September — é / 5 1S September - US fires low-yield nuclear device at underground testing range in Nevada. Reeves to AEC: r? CF Eniwetok facilities. 15 September No action authorized. —_— First U.S. underground shot " ~ authorizes H & N to proceed with study and preparations of cost estimate for activating (LRL). S