Operation Sandstone
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Nuclear test Operation Sandstone
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|---|---|
 Sandstone X-Ray |
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| information | |
| nation |
 United States
|
| Test location | Eniwetok Atoll |
| Period | April / May 1948 |
| Number of tests | 3 |
| Test type | Above-ground tests |
| Weapon type | fission |
| Max. Explosive force | 49 kT |
| navigation | |
| Previous test | Operation Crossroads |
| Next test | Operation Ranger |
The Operation Sandstone was the third series of American nuclear testing . It took place in 1948 on the Eniwetok Atoll in the Pacific and consisted of three separate tests.
The individual tests of the Sandstone series
Operation Sandstone was conducted to test a new bomb construction that was developed during the Manhattan Project . Among other things, new methods for assembling the core of an atomic bomb were investigated. With the same amount of plutonium, the new construction should have twice the explosive power of the Mark 3 bomb, which was dropped on Nagasaki .
The individual tests were authorized by US President Harry S. Truman in June 1947 and the Eniwetok Atoll was designated as a test site on October 11. The island's 142 residents were relocated to Ujelang Atoll , 230 kilometers away in December .
| bomb | Date / Time ( GMT ) | place | Explosion height | Test type | Explosive power | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X ray | April 14, 1948 6:17 p.m. |
Engebi Island | 61 meters (200 feet) |
tower | 37 kT | The implosion bomb consisted of 5 kg uranium- 235 and 2.5 kg plutonium .
After the test, samples were taken from the ground by remote-controlled tanks for radiochemical analyzes. |
| Yoke | April 30, 1948 6:09 p.m. |
Aomon island | 61 meters (200 feet) |
tower | 49 kT | Yoke was the most powerful atomic bomb to date and tested principles to produce a compound core. Prototype for the Mark 4 bomb. |
| zebra | May 14, 1948 6:04 p.m. |
Runit Island | 61 meters (200 feet) |
tower | 18 kT | Weapon development tests, such as X-Ray and Yoke |
Individual evidence
Web links
- The U.S. Sandstone Tests at nuclearweaponarchive.org