Nuclear testing

A nuclear test explosion is an experiment using a nuclear weapon to observe its actual (not just theoretical) destructive power. It may also be a demonstration of the possessing nation's strength.

The United States successfully detonated the first hydrogen bomb, codenamed "Mike" ["m" for megaton], at Eniwetok island in the Bikini atoll on November 1, 1952.

The Soviet Union detonated a 50 megaton yield hydrogen bomb over Novaya Zemlya on October 30, 1961 (this is still the largest nuclear device to ever be detonated). The U.S. estimated the yield to be 57 megatons, which was the figure circulated by the Soviet Union after the test.

There have been around 2,000 nuclear test explosions:

• U.S.: 1,030 tests (involving 1,125 devices)
• Soviet Union: 715 tests
• France: 210 tests
• Britain: 45 tests (21 in Australian territory, including 9 in mainland South Australia at Maralinga and Emu Field)
• China: 45 tests (23 atmospheric and 22 underground, all conducted at Lop Nur Nuclear Weapons Test Base, in Malan, Xinjiang)
• India: 6 tests.
• Pakistan: 6 tests.

Peter Kuran's documentary film Trinity and Beyond (1996) is perhaps the first documentary on the history of nuclear testing, and incorporates a good deal of rare footage of US, Soviet and Chinese tests as well as interviews with many key figures in the US test program.

Known test series designations

US

The United States has conducted numerous nuclear tests throughout the nation including the Nevada Test Site, the Pacific Test Site, Alaska and even Farmington, New Mexico.

• Operation Trinity. 17 July 1945 see Trinity site
• Operation Crossroads, 1946
• Operation Sandstone, 1948
• Operation Ranger, 1951
• Operation Greenhouse, 1951
• Operation Buster-Jangle, 1951
• Operation Tumbler-Snapper, 1952
• Operation Ivy, 1952
• Operation Upshot-Knothole, 1953
• Operation Castle, 1954
• Operation Teapot, 1955
• Operation Wigwam, 14 May 1955
• Operation Red Wing, 1956
• Operation Plumbob, 1957
• Operation Chariot, 1958 (cancelled)
• Operation Hardtack, 1958
• Operation Argus, 1958
• Operation Dominic, 1962, 1963
• Operation Nougat, 1963 - 1964
• Operation Little Feller, July, 1962
• Operation Dominic/Fishbowl, 1962 - 1963
• Operation Niblick, 1963 - 1964
• Operation Whetstone, 1964 - 1965
• Operation Flintlock, 1965 - 1966
• Operation Latchkey, 1966 - 1967
• Operation Crosstie, 1967 - 1968
• Operation Bowline, 1968 - 1969
• Operation Mandrel, 1969
• Operation Emery 1970
• Operation Grommet, 1971 - 1972
• Operation Toggle, 1972 - 1973
• Operation Arbor, 1973 -1974
• Operation Bedrock, 1974- 1975
• Operation Anvil, 1975 - 1976
• Operation Fulcrum, 1976 -1977
• Operation Crescent, 1977 - 1978
• Operation Quicksilver, 1978 - 1979
• Operation Tinderbox, 1979 - 1980
• Operation Guardian, 1980 - 1981
• Operation Praetorian, 1981
• Operation Phalanx, 1982 - 1983
• Operation Fusileer, 1983 - 1984
• Operation Grenadier, 1984 - 1985
• Operation Charioteer, 1985
• Operation Divider, 23 September 1992
• Operation Rebound, 1997

USSR

• Operation First Lightning, 29 August 1948

UK

• Operation Hurricane, 3 October 1952
• Operation Rats, 1953
• Operation Mosaic, 1956
• Operation Buffalo, 1956
• Operation Antler, 1957
• Operation Grapple, 1957 - 1958
• Operation Totem, 1953
• Operation Vixens, 1963

France

• Operation Gerboise Bleue, 1960
• Operation Beryl, 1 May 1962
• Operation Marquis, 1974

India

• Operation Smiling Buddha, 18 May 1974
• Operation Shakti 1998

See also

• history of nuclear weapons
• nuclear weapons design
• Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty
• North Korea nuclear weapons program

External links

• Australian government database of nuclear explosions and tests