Operations Operation Sandstone

1 operations

1.1 x-ray
1.2 yoke
1.3 zebra

operations


video of tests

as in operation crossroads, each detonation given own code name, taken joint army/navy phonetic alphabet. used modified mark iii assemblies, , detonated 200-foot (61 m) towers. timing of detonations matter of compromise. gamma ray measurement experiments required darkness, boeing b-17 flying fortress drones sample clouds needed daylight control them. compromise, sandstone detonations took place shortly before dawn.

the detonations in united states sandstone series listed below:

x-ray

the x-ray nuclear device used levitated composite core. detonated on enjebi before sunrise @ 06:17 on 15 april 1948, yield of 37 kilotons. efficiency of utilization of plutonium 35%; of uranium-235 25% or more. higher los alamos prediction. observers watching ships in lagoon saw brilliant flash , felt radiant heat. condensation cloud 5 nautical miles (9.3 km; 5.8 mi) in diameter enveloped fireball, glowed within cloud. took 45 50 seconds thunderous roar of explosion reach observers.

about 20 minutes later, bariko launched helicopter check on cable winch collect samples. lowered boats test radioactivity levels in lagoon. b-17 pilotless drone aircraft flown through clouds, , drone light tank used recover soil samples crater. unfortunately, became bogged , had towed out ten days later.

yoke explosion


yoke

the yoke nuclear device used levitated all-uranium-235 core. detonated on aomon before sunrise on 1 may 1948 @ 06:09, day late due unfavorable winds. observers saw similar flash , felt same heat x-ray blast, 6-nautical-mile (11 km; 6.9 mi) wide condensation cloud larger, , sound of explosion more forceful. 1 observer likened sound of paper bag forcefully burst in small room . correct: yield of 49 kilotons made largest nuclear detonation time, considered inefficient , wasteful of fissile material.

zebra

zebra, third test, , last of sandstone series, detonated on runit before sunrise @ 06:04 on 15 may 1948. test characterized aec chairman david lilienthal hardest , important test of three. using 1 of b-class initiators, demonstrated these still used confidence. observers perceived flash , blast similar previous 2 tests, time base of condensation cloud @ 2,000 feet (610 m), gave observers unobstructed view of fireball, therefore appeared brighter , last longer other two. looks deceiving: levitated uranium-235 core produced yield of 18 kilotons.

filters being removed air force boeing b-17 drone after flight through radioactive cloud

the procedures used in previous tests repeated, time winch cable snagged, , test samples had retrieved jeep, exposing crew more radiation. los alamos personnel assigned remove filters b-17 drones had apparently carried out procedure on x-ray , yoke without problems, time 3 of them suffered radiation burns on hands serious enough hospitalized , need skin grafting. 1 of men had carried out procedure yoke found have burns on hands , hospitalized too, discharged on 28 may. once again drone tank gave trouble, , bogged in crater, soil samples retrieved backup drone tank. both tanks subsequently dumped in ocean.