What Happened When The US Detonated a Nuke In Outer Space?
The first large-scale EMP test
The world has recently been buzzing about the prospects of an EMP attack in the next major war. Powerful electromagnetic pulses, or EMPs, can be generated by detonating a high altitude nuclear weapon. The effects of such an attack have been the subject of much speculation and debate in recent years between military planners and scientists.
Most people are speculating about the effects of an EMP based on conjecture. However, the United States once detonated a massive nuclear weapon in outer space to study its effects. The explosion resulted in the first true EMP energy blast in history. It is one of the only glimpses we have of an actual high altitude EMP blast.
The test was called Starfish Prime, and it was conducted in 1962. The results surprised nearby naval observers.
Here is what happened.
The Test
On July 9th, 1962, a massive Thor missile was launched from Johnston Atoll. The missile was carrying a W49 nuclear warhead. The warhead was rigged to blow with a yield of 1.4 megatons. Nearby ships…
