- 10-
will be some decrease in the effort devoted to nuclear physics research with the
various accelerators due to requirements for personnel to address the Vela Hotel
and Vela Sierra programs.
to 35 people.
These latter programs will involved approximately 30
As for Plowshare, "the lab interest ..
. has crystallized along the
lines of the use of nuclear explosions for scientific research and for the conduct
of scientific experiments for which nuclear explosions provide unique sources of
neutrons and radiations.
Specific planning is underway for the conduct of such
experiments in connection with the Gnome shot.”
Also noted is the new Stretch
computer expected to go into operation in mid-1960 and the effort required to take
advantage of its capabilities.
Most of the other programs are to remain at about
the same level as previous with some specific comments in the area of nuclear
weapons and testing.
Bradbury notes that the course of the moratorium seems to be
undergoing redefinition as this letter is being written.
Bradbury's appraisal of
the testing situation and readiness is probably worth quoting in full:
"The
laboratory situation with respect to a resumption of actual nuclear weapon testing
is, at this writing about as follows:
Holes exist at NTS in which 1 point safety
or other shots to about 1 kt could be conducted.
cable and winches)
is not immediately available
or is on order with long delivery times.
Certain equipment (eg coax
|
The laboratories proposes to obtain as
rapidly as possible all the necessary material for the resumption of testing and
to have “on the shelf" certain appropriate devices for tests in the existing holes.
However,
it does not follow that the first such nuclear tests will eccur instantly
after a Presidenyal announcement that this country is resuming such activities.
In the first place, it is not feasible to have personnel and equipment on an
immediately "standby" basis nor does there appear to be any technical or political .
reason for this.
In the second place, it is believed that it will require of the
order of 3 months to obtain the necessary equipment for the Nevada Test Site. Thus,
Af it were announced today that this country were resuming nuclear weapons testing,