Project 58/58A facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Project 58/58A |
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|---|---|
| Information | |
| Country | United States |
| Period | 1957–1958 |
| Number of tests | 4 |
| Test type | dry surface, underground shaft, tunnel |
| Max. yield | 500 tonnes of TNT (2,100 GJ) |
Project 58/58A was a group of four nuclear tests done by the United States. These tests happened in 1957 and 1958 at the Nevada Test Site. They were special tests that came after the Operation Plumbbob series and before the Operation Hardtack I series.
Contents
What Were These Tests About?
All the tests in Project 58 were called "one-point safety tests." Imagine a nuclear device. These tests were designed to make sure that if only one small part of the device accidentally went off, it wouldn't cause a huge nuclear explosion. The goal was to check the safety of the designs before making bigger, full-scale tests.
The Unexpected Coulomb-C Test
Most of these safety tests were not expected to create a big explosion. But one test, named Coulomb-C, was different. It happened on December 9, 1957. This test was done on the ground.
Coulomb-C unexpectedly produced an explosion equal to 500 tons of TNT. This was much bigger than planned. After the explosion, a cloud of dust and tiny particles spread. People working nearby had to quickly find shelter. The cloud even reached the Los Angeles area, which made people there worried.
The Tests of Project 58/58A
Here are the four tests that were part of Project 58/58A:
- Pascal-C: This test happened on December 6, 1957. It was an underground test, meaning it took place in a shaft deep in the ground. It was a safety experiment.
- Coulomb-C: This test happened on December 9, 1957. It was done on the surface of the ground. As mentioned, it had an unexpected explosion of 500 tons.
- Venus: This test took place on February 22, 1958. It was done in a tunnel. This was another safety experiment.
- Uranus: This test happened on March 14, 1958. Like Venus, it was also a tunnel test and a safety experiment.
These tests helped scientists understand how to make nuclear devices safer. They learned important lessons, especially from the Coulomb-C test, about how these devices might behave.
Images for kids
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The Coulomb-C test produced an unexpected yield.
See also
In Spanish: Proyecto 58 para niños
