1265th AEC
Meeting
2-11-57
5
5.
ABC
952/32 - Special Test Proposed by
ae® ALSO intnuges oO
ane Meeting 1262.)
E. 0. Lawrence (pp. 4
xceutive Session a Meeting 1963
The Conmissioners considered the feasibility of canductir
aA high altitude nuclear test detonation in the Pacific for the
purpose of checking U.S.
long-range detection capabilities.
Mr. Fields referred to his reraons for recommending thot such
a teat not be conducted during 1957, (See AEC 3952/3) and sug-
ested that before discussing thls matter formally witn the DOL
tle Comission reach a decision reyarding
tre
best.
Me. Straus
observed that if this particular Gesu wore duLfarred until
Operation HARDTACK 2p 1959, and 1f sn agreement coneerning a
weapons tast limitation
is imminent at that time, the U.5.
might have to cnoogse between cancelling the test or proceeding
with it concurrently with nepfotiations to halt testing.
Mr. Murray suggested
that one or more high «altitude
tests
be conducted during 1957 and that additional high altitude test
o@ carried out during Operation HAKDTACK.
He indicated
that,
nalthourh he did not consider a test limitation likely by 1958,
ne believed it would be advisable to assume that agreement may
pe venched anc therefore a high altitude t st shot should be
conducted curing 1y57.
Mr. Libby said he believed that con-
ducting one such tert “uring 1957 would prove to be of logistic
assistance for simillar
tesiu eal Operation HARDTACK,
Guncral Starbied gai
thes ab the present time the naximu
height attainable for teucsug 7 nuclear weapon is about 100,000
Leet.
He observed that tos abliitv to dotect a shot at this
altitude is no aguurance boat + device Ictonated at 160,00C or
180,000 feet could also be Acteeted.
He pointed out thet a
laycr of air at 160,000 foet tends to deflect shock waves away
from a downward path cand
therefore,
it is much more difficult
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