the latest feelings of LRL with regard to the use of Christmas Island for the
forthcoming test series.
We continue to feel that Christmas Island can
represent the most desirable test location for the atmospheric series if it
can be made available for exclusive use by the U.S. from January 1 through July l...
In addition, diagnostics which we could expect to obtain will be superior to
those of any other available location.
Afric)
For example,
AWhich require alpha diagnostics, could be adequately diagnosed with the balloons
an
at Christmas Island.
Tests at these yields can of course be done underground
more expensively at a much slower rate...... A further general advantage
of Christmas Island would be the opportunity to fire a large number of devices
fixed at altitudes by balloons.
component malfunction."
This procedure minimizing the probability of
He goes into further detail on the Sioux Vulnerability
Experiment which requires that a number of samples be placed on the surface
in the vicinity of a nuclear explosion and, whereas, NTS would be the most
suitable location, if not possible there,
then
Christmas Island would be the
next best choice since it cannot be done on shipboard.
Also, conducting this
test underground raises questions about the feasibility of sample recovery and
information transmission.
Thus, in summary for Christmas, '"'If use of the
Island would impose limitations on U.S.
authority in direction of the test program,
types of devices or number of shots, then the Lab would recommend selection
of another site.
In the event the Island is not available for a
series this spring,
we would still urge that arrangements be made to provide assurance on the use
of this facility for future nuclear programs.''
He notes that he has had discussions
with Starbird on a possible shipgoing operation which would also utilize Jarvis
Island and that, by and large,
the major Livermore objectives can be achieved