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STANDARD FORM NO. 64
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ID:
pI2.07
Office Memorandum UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO
: Dr. C. Le Dunham, Director
DATE:
ACY 1 © 195F
Division of Biology & Medicine
FROM : Brig. General Alfred D. Starbird, USA
Director of Military Application
SUBJECT: FALLOUT PROGRAM
SYMBOL:
MAT:KFU
AS a result of the briefing of the AEC Commissioners on October 22,
1956, on REDWING fallout, several questions have been asked by
Commissioner Libby and Dr. Potts.
definition of the problem.
These have led into a broader.
The central problem is to develop a
theory or a model of fallout which will explain the facts and en=
able the prediction of the consequences of future tests. This model
should cover the period from the explosion of the bomb until substantially all of the fallout hes returned to earth. The immediate ob-.
jective will be to exploit the available information from REDWING.
Combining the knowledge of fission energy released with the data on
local fallout at REDWING, it may be possible to estimate the amount
of radioactive debris in the stratosphere and hence the worldwide
fallout te be anticipated. The next objective will be to apply REITWING and CASTLE data, plus the existing model, to the planning for
the next test series with two purposes in mind: First, to refine
the model still more; and second, to apply it directly to the urgent
problem of minimizing worldwide fallout.
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With the above in mind, it is Dr. Libby's desire to have the Division
' of Biology & Medicine undertake the following:
a.
Further analyze the REDWING samples (analyses to include radio~
chemical) with attention to the elements Sr-90, Mo~99, Cs-137;
Ce-lh and tritium.
b. Ask Rand to investigate the data from REDWING to see whet, if
any, change should be made in its report P-822-src, dated
March 12;
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d.
1956.
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Study for fallout the bottom surface samples obtained by the
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. Seripps Institute of Oceanography taken prior to REDWING. And also make a study of the same of post-REDWING samples S10
may have obtained.
Consider the possibilities of a more comprehensive fallout
study for Operation PILGRIM to further develop the theory or
@ model as referred to above.
5000159
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