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08 May 2008
1970 French Nuclear Test
Licorne was a test of an experimental thermonuclear device for the TN-60 warhead; the fourth thermonuclear test conducted by France. The nuclear device was suspended from a balloon, which was filled with 14,000 cubic meters of helium, 500 meters (1600 feet) feet over the Dindon testing sector. 3,700 men stationed on Mururoa were evacuated for this test.
Newly appointed Minister of Defense Michel Debré observed the test from the De Grasse along with 12 representatives from the French press. The De Grasse was positioned some 30 miles from Mururoa for the shot.
Licorne was fired at 18:30:00.3 on 3 July 1970 (GMT). Shot day was characterized by cloudy conditions but good visibility, with weak winds (2 to 4 knots) due southeast were forecast on shot day. The thermonuclear device exploded with a force of 914 kilotons, the fifth largest nuclear test ever conducted by France. Once the brilliant flash of the explosion subsided, the personnel on the observation vessels were allowed to view the test on deck.
The mushroom cloud reached an altitude of 24,000 meters (76,800 feet) approximately six minutes after shot time, with the base of the cloud reaching 15,800 meters (50,560 feet). Two Vautour aircraft conducted cloud sampling missions at H+1 hour 15 minutes. Four rockets were fired into the mushroom cloud to collect gaseous samples. Fallout was detected on several atolls downwind, including Tureia, Reao and Puka Rua.
An observer described the Licorne detonation as being a “a stupendously beautiful pillar of fire piercing a perfectly symmetrical mushroom.” Six hours after the explosion, Debré and the visiting correspondents returned to the main base on Mururoa. Debré reportedly swam in the Mururoa lagoon during this time to make the reporters think the radiological effects of the nuclear tests were harmless.
Licorne photo link
Licorne was fired at 18:30:00.3 on 3 July 1970 (GMT). Shot day was characterized by cloudy conditions but good visibility, with weak winds (2 to 4 knots) due southeast were forecast on shot day. The thermonuclear device exploded with a force of 914 kilotons, the fifth largest nuclear test ever conducted by France. Once the brilliant flash of the explosion subsided, the personnel on the observation vessels were allowed to view the test on deck.
The mushroom cloud reached an altitude of 24,000 meters (76,800 feet) approximately six minutes after shot time, with the base of the cloud reaching 15,800 meters (50,560 feet). Two Vautour aircraft conducted cloud sampling missions at H+1 hour 15 minutes. Four rockets were fired into the mushroom cloud to collect gaseous samples. Fallout was detected on several atolls downwind, including Tureia, Reao and Puka Rua.
An observer described the Licorne detonation as being a “a stupendously beautiful pillar of fire piercing a perfectly symmetrical mushroom.” Six hours after the explosion, Debré and the visiting correspondents returned to the main base on Mururoa. Debré reportedly swam in the Mururoa lagoon during this time to make the reporters think the radiological effects of the nuclear tests were harmless.
Licorne photo link
06:00 Posted in Interesting , Science | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this | Tags: France, nuclear, Licorne, test, mushroom cloud, radiation
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