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Chapter 1
INTROOCCTION AND SCOMARY OF PROGRAM
1.1
SCIENTIFIC OBJECTIVES AND KESULTS
Qn August 17, 1956, Sandia Laborarssy received a request from the AEC ta
make recommendations for tests at wery high altitodes.
At that time major in-
terest centered around the detectability of bursts abowe 100,000 feet.
Long-
rasge detection of such bursts could opt be guaranteed and detection ranges of
U. S. intelligence equipment for sach bursts had to be reasonably well determined before the United States could seriously comsider a test-dan agreement
and an appropriate monitoring system for enforcing such a ban.
In the spring
of 1956 while Operation Redwing was under way, efforts vere made to add a
missile-carried burst to the end of the Redving program.
Because of opera-
tional problems such a burst was not accomplished, but Sandis Laboratory, as
well as many other agencies, had pot auch thought into consideration of desir-
able experiments which should be perfoumed on any high-altitude test.
Thus
Sandia answered AEC's request by sobsitting In October 1956 s proposal for a
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bigh-sltitude test programs.
This proposa] suggested that two shors be fired:
Gn: 250,000 feet altitude ~~: 100,000 feet. Teak and
Orange shots of Hardtack bear considerable sinilarity to the program outlined
ia Sandia's proposal.
1.1.1
Technical Objectives
The principal objectives of such a test were stated in the October 1956
proposal, viz., to provide data on:
(1) United States detection amd inrelligence capabilities;
(2) Unexpected phenowens;
“(3) Feasibility of very high altitude proving grounds; and
(4) Weapons effects at high altitides, in particular as they affect
{a) design criteria for decreasing the vwulnerabilicy of U. S.
ballistic warheads;
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