As to safety type problems underground, LASL feels that potential contamination of
underground water is the most problematic and doesn't feel that containment is a
significant problem if the 475 W to the 1/3 rule is followed.
Also LASL sees ~NQ
need to conduct underground tests during an atmospheric testing period in order to
investigate such safety limitations as containment.
LASL also begs off of the
question of relative cost and time and instrumentation advantages for holes vs,
.
President Kennedy orders preparations
' for resumption of atmospheric nuclear tests,
e
2 November ~ 6]
mee Ok oe eae, ae oe
.
tunnels until far more experience is gained in the two areas.
policy of the United States to proceed in
2
developing nuclear weapons to maintain this CR
superior capability for the defense of the ©
.
free world against any aggressor."
‘
"In view of the Soviet action it will be the
On 2 Nov. Foster sent a TWX to Betts responding to Betts' 27 Oct. TWX
mentioned above.
Foster addresses the advantages of underground testing,
y
the possibilities for developing improved capabilities underground for
the future and addresses in a great deal of detail the advantages of the
tunnel method of underground testing as opposed to vertical holes. ©
A 2 Nov. TWX from Reeves of ALO to Betts replies to Betts’ questions
about the advantages of atmospheric versus underground testing, etc.
contained in a 27 Oct. TWX and in addition to addressing questions about
the feasibility and requirements for surveying underground test locations
and preparing them, Reeves argues about the advisability of going all out
on athospheric testing in light of the public opinion. He feels that even
given the go-ahead tc test in the atmosphere, we should realize that there
is a certain probability from the public opinion of forced termination of
atmospheric testing either completely or at an unnecessarily early date
and Reeves recommends that atmospheric testing be held to a minimum even
at the expense of increased cost and acceptable delay in order to decrease
the probability of public opinion forcing such an early termination.
Batzel of LRL in a TWX to Betts on 2_Nov..makes some remarks about the
present situation with regard to diagnostic measurements.
He feels that
with the airborne diagnostics in the C-130 and the X unit signal telemetered from the drop case Hett and
time measurements can be
made.
Also bhangmeter and radiochemistry data will be available but
there is considerable question about a reliable fireball yield. It is
stated that a ground-based radar-tracked optical system is being prepared
for shipment by Nov. 15 and that such a system would insure ~
. time.
Measurements and therefore it is requested that operations be planned, if
possible, to provide a land base for the time
and fireball photography which LRL feels is highly desirable.
a
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