Fergie's Tech Blog

U.S., Britain Conduct Nuclear Experiment in Nevada

U.S. and British government scientists performed an underground nuclear experiment, short of a nuclear blast, at the Nevada Test Site this week, the National Nuclear Security Administration said.

The experiment on Tuesday involved detonating high explosives around radioactive material in a vault about 1,000 feet below ground at a remote part of the desert testing range 85 miles northwest of Las Vegas.

No radioactivity was released in the subcritical experiment, said Nancy Tufano, spokeswoman for Bechtel Nevada, a contractor at the nuclear security administration in North Las Vegas.

Scientists for the first time posted a nearly eight-minute video Web log of preparations for the experiment.

National Nuclear Security Administration Public Affairs:
http://www.nv.doe.gov

posted by Fergie @ 2/23/2006 08:47:00 PM