Evening star., 1961-12-03
NUCLEAR

NUNEEAk
Continued From Page Al
80 58-megaton test-the big
one" of the series.
The fusion process in a ther-
monuclear explosion does not
produce radioactive material
although it produces tremen-
douS blast and heat. However.
to start the fusion a great
amount of initial heat is need
cd and the only way known to
generate it is by setting off a
fisSion device. In other words.
an atomic bomb is used to trig-
ger the hydrogen explosion,
producing highly radioactive
substances such as strontium- 80
and cesium-137 in the process.
FiSsiOn Action Prolonged
There had been some fear in
this country that the Russians
had devised method to trig-
ger a thermonuclear blast with
out the use of a fission device.
1t is now believed that this was
not done during the Soviet test
series, although American ex-
perts suspect that the Russians
have devised a method to pro-
long the duration of the fisSion
action in order to hold down
the size of the fission device.
The smallness of the fiSsion
process in relation to the total
power of the October 80 blast
made 1t an extremely clean"
one. the analysis Shows-that
is. there was comparatively
little fallout resulting from it.
1t is also believed that the small
amount of fission material re-
quired contributed to the i'm
proved power-per-p pound-of-
weapon achieved by the Soviet
scientists.
In weapons effects, the Rus
slams presumably gained knowl-
edge in an area now also of
great interest to the United
States - anti-miSsile missiles.
Some of the Soviet shots were
repeatedly designed to direct
the blast upward, as would be
expected in a missile defense
device.
Strategic Rockets Tested
In the full assembly" tests
it is believed that the Russians
launched and exploded rockets
equipped with nuclear war
heads in some sort of simu-
lated war game situation.
Officials familiar with the
test data emphasize that de-
spite their gains, the Russians
have not tipped the balance of
power or reduced the ability of
the United States to deal a de-
Wasting blow to the Soviet
Union, even if Moscow should
strike first.
Also, they indicate that this
country has developed in the
laboratory - but not tested in
the field-concepts which could
wipe out what appears to be
a Soviet lead in a narrow but
significant area.
In preparing his report. DR..
Bethe. who on Friday received
the $50.000 Fermi prize for his
nuclear achievements, used the
findings of a vast information
gathering network tn a t
watched" the Soviet tests for
the free world-seismographic
stations. debris collecting
planes and ground stations,
and light and sound analyzing
instruments.
N0gTest Recommendations
1t is understood that the re-
port concerned itself only with
analyzing the Soviet tests and
did not address itself to the
implications for American
strategy. Thus it carried no
recommendations on whether,
when or in what manner the
United States should resume
testing in the atmosphere.
Or. Bethe confirmed in a
telephone interview that he be-
lieVes the Russians tested
some devices of real military
usefulness" during the Sep
tember- October series.
The Cornell physicist, who Is
frequently called upon by
Washington for advice on nu-
clear matters, has been opposed
to American resumption of nu-
clear weapons testing. New
however, he favors under
ground tests and is reserving
Judgment on atmospheric tests
until he can study further the
value of the weapon's-effects