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Home : Starfish Prime: The Secret Nuclear Explosion In Outer Space

starfish prime sky
starfish prime sky

Starfish Prime: The Secret Nuclear Explosion In Outer Space

In 1962, nuclear scientists detonated a nuclear warhead, called Starfish Prime, in outer space. Here's why they did it and what they learned after the resulting nuclear explosion.

Jul 9, 2012 by J. Frank Wilson
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Reading Time: 2 minutes

Have you ever heard of a secret US government nuclear program called Starfish Prime? On July 9th, 1962, nuclear scientists detonated a 1.45 megaton nuclear warhead, called Starfish Prime, in outer space above the Pacific Ocean. Here’s why they did it and what they learned after the resulting nuclear explosion.

What Was The Purpose Of Starfish Prime?

Why did the US government launch a nuclear warhead into outer space? Was an Armageddon sized asteroid hurtling towards the Earth? Were they preventing an alien invasion? Nope, they just wanted to see what would happen. After all, it was the 1960’s.

What Happened After The Nuclear Detonation?

So what happened? What was the result of this infamous nuclear experiment?

Plenty of expensive damage for sure. The resulting nuclear explosion created a massive electromagnetic pulse (EMP) that damaged most of the satellites orbiting the Earth at the time. The blast also caused damage on Earth. It triggered burglar alarms, interrupted telephone communications, and even knocked out street lights in Hawaii.

Starfish Prime Nuclear Explosion As Seen From Honolulu, Hi
The flash created by the starfish prime nuclear explosion as seen through heavy cloud cover from honolulu 1,445 km away.

And a light show. Beta particles from the blast caused a lighting storm in the atmosphere.

Starfish Prime High-Altitude Nuclear Test Explosion
Photograph of the starfish prime high-altitude nuclear test explosion in course of operation dominic on july 9, 1962. Yield 1450 kilotons.

The Biggest And Last Nuclear Explosion In Outer Space

Starfish Prime was the largest nuclear explosion ever in outer space and one of only five nuclear tests conducted by the US government in outer space. Let’s hope the days of drug and nuclear experimentation died with the 1960s.

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J. Frank Wilson
J. Frank Wilson

Frank Wilson is a retired teacher with over 30 years of combined experience in the education, small business technology, and real estate business. He now blogs as a hobby and spends most days tinkering with old computers. Wilson is passionate about tech, enjoys fishing, and loves drinking beer.






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Tag: armageddon, Electromagnetic Pulse, Hawaii, Nuclear weapon, ocean, Space, Starfish Prime, United States
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