Operation PLUMBBOB, Nevada Test Site, May-October 1957. Project 39.3. Thermal Radiation Measurements. Parts I and II.

The objective of Part I of Project 39.3 was to measure transient air temperatures at selected locations in the blast-biology underground shelter in Area 1 for shot Galileo, Operation Plumbbob. The objective of Part II of Project 39.3 was to evaluate thermal burns from a nuclear explosion on biological receivers in a shelter. Eight Chester White pigs were used as test animals. One pig in the entrance and one about 3 ft inside the door received severe burns. These burns were carbonized on the surface and caused transepidermal damage with up to 0.3 mm penetration into the dermis. Animals away from the entrance and those in the slow fill side received no burns. The possible sources of this damaging thermal energy are discussed.