- Additional Authors
- Description
- 1 online resource (136 pages) : illustrations, maps.
- Summary
- In late August and early September of 1958, U.S. Navy Task Force 88, consisting of nine ships and approximately 4,500 men, secretly conducted three high-altitude nuclear tests in the South Atlantic. The code name of the operation was ARGUS. In each of these tests, the task force launched from the missile trials ship, USS Norton Sound (AVM-1), a specially modified X-17a three-stage ballistic missile carrying a low-yield nuclear warhead, which was detonated high in the Earth's upper atmosphere. Upon completion of these launchings on September 6, the task force departed the operating area for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and thence to home ports in the United States. This report details Department of Defense personnel participation in these tests, with an emphasis on radiological safety.
- The ARGUS shots were conducted to test the Christofilos theory, which argued that high-altitude nuclear detonations would create a radiation belt in the upper regions of the Earth's atmosphere. It was postulated that these belts of radiation (primarily high-energy electrons) might cause degradation of radio and radar transmissions, damage or destruction of the arming mechanisms of ICBM warheads, and endangerment of crews in orbiting space vehicles that might enter the belt.
- Series Statement
- DNA ; 6039F
- Uniform Title
- DNA (Washington, D.C.) ; 6039F.
- Subject
- Note
- "United States Atmospheric Nuclear Weapons Tests, Nuclear Test Personnel Review."
- "Performing organization ... Kaman Tempo"--Report documentation page.
- "30 April 1982."
- Shot Chronology: ARGUS 1; ARGUS 2; ARGUS 3.
- In scope of the U.S. Government Publishing Office Cataloging and Indexing Program (C&I) and Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP).
- Bibliography (note)
- Includes bibliographical references (pages 92-95) and index.
- Type of Report (note)
- Funding (note)
- Sponsored by the Defense Nuclear Agency
- Source of Description (note)
- Description based on online resource; title from PDF cover (NTPR website, viewed Feb. 15, 2024).
- Call Number
- GPO Internet D 15.10:6039 F
- OCLC
- marcive760071663
- Title
Operation ARGUS, 1958 / prepared by the Defense Nuclear Agency as executive agency for the Department of Defense.
- Publisher
Washington, D.C. : Defense Nuclear Agency, 1982.
- Type of Content
text
- Type of Medium
computer
- Type of Carrier
online resource
- Series
DNA ; 6039F
DNA (Washington, D.C.) ; 6039F.
- Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (pages 92-95) and index.
- Type Of Report
Technical report.
- Funding
Sponsored by the Defense Nuclear Agency DNA 001-79-C-0472 Subtask U99QAXMK506-09
- Connect to:
- Added Author
United States. Defense Nuclear Agency, issuing body.
United States. Nuclear Test Personnel Review.
Kaman Tempo (Firm)
- Other Form:
Print version: Operation ARGUS, 1958. [Washington, D.C.] : The Agency, [1982] (OCoLC)9094922
- Gpo Item No.
0306 (online)
- Sudoc No.
D 15.10:6039 F