Chapter
1.1
OBJECTIVES
|
INTRODUCTION
The principal technical objectives of this project included the fol-
lowing:
1. To obtain the necessary data~~-utilizing chemical, radiochemical,
physical, and nuclear-physical techniques on close~in nuclear debris--~to
establish reference or calibration points for analyses, using the same
techniques, of debris from nuclear explosions of unknown origin, composi~
tion, and design.
2+
To compare analyses on samples collected close-in to the detona-
tion with those obtained at great distances, in order to study variability of debris composition with time and distance from detonation site.
3. To test the Squeegee gas~sampling device under full-scale operational conditions.
1.2
BACKGROUND
This experiment was an extension of a program established to monitor
all United States nuclear explosions, in order to establish calibration
or reference points based on analyses of air~borne nuclear debris collected under the best possible conditions.
This program, under Head-
quarters, United States Air Force, Washington 25, D. Cc. (AFOAT~1), had
actively participated in Operations Sandstone, Ranger, Greenhouse, BusterJangle, Tumbler-Snapper, Ivy, and Upshot-Knothole.
Data based on debris analysis from Trinity, with specific reference
to capture-to-fission ratios and bomb efficiency, suggested the possibility that these types of analyses might be extended to give more diagnos~
tic information about the source than had been thought possible. Therefore, serious efforts were expended in applying micro- and macroradiochemical techniques, and other specialized analytical method to
air-borne nuclear debris. These analyses yielded useful diagnostic in-
formation.
It became possible to determine nuclearefficiency. |
—
__
_fand other use- |
ful information required in a detection and analysis system.
A condensed review of results obtained using the techniques
described here during Operations Sandstone, Ranger, Greenhouse, an
Particularly---Buster-Jangle, Tumbler-Snapper, and Upshot~Knothole
appear in|
.)publications (References 2, 18, and 19).