A pleasant night in July of 1962 was a night to remember for many people in Hawaii. Congregating on their rooftops, one unaware may have believed them to be stargazing or looking at the moon. This wasn’t the case, though, given that something bigger, more out of the ordinary, was taking place in the sky. More impactful regarding explosiveness, this is far beyond the likes of fireworks going off. We are talking about none other than Operation Starfish Prime. This was a massive man-made explosion in space that resulted in a lasting impact on history. Continue reading to learn more about Operation Starfish Prime, and why it is an important historical event.
An Explosive Fireworks Show in Space to Remember
Operation Starfish was the largest of the five nuclear tests conducted in space. Thus, the United States conducted these tests with the Atomic Energy Commission and the Defense Atomic Support Agency as a part of the larger Operation Dominic Starfish Prime. These five tests resulted from the Soviet announcement on October 30, 1961, to end a three-year hiatus from nuclear testing.
The Thor missile launched for this test took off from Johnston Atoll, which is a private island under the jurisdiction of the United States Air Force. After launching at 11:09 PM Honolulu time, the missile detonated after almost 14 seconds. The magnitude of the aftermath is significant, given that it was noticeable in New Zealand.
Operation Starfish Prime’s purpose and intent were understandable, but the outcome was unimaginable and disruptive to those impacted. Upon detonating, a beautiful array of lights lit up the sky, spanning 900 miles from where the missile took off. However, it was even more extraordinary because it was almost midnight, yet the skies were brighter than ever.
Despite the visual Operation Starfish Prime offered, the blast, which wasn’t anticipated, caused catastrophic damages. Therefore, the detonation created a domino effect of an electromagnetic pulse (EMP), which trampled streetlights and interfered with radio signals and telephone calls. Additionally, this electrical damage affected certain parts of the United States and South Pacific.
Did Operation Starfish Damage the Atmosphere?
The intention behind launching the Thor missile into space had a good purpose in comparison to the result. Many may ask, “Did Operation Starfish Prime destroy the atmosphere?” It’s a valid question.
Despite this, these tests were conducted in good faith to prepare for potential attacks from the Soviet Union at the time. The U.S. military was curious to know the effects of a nuclear explosion in relation to enemy battle scenarios.
Even though they clearly gained valuable insight from this experiment, it also raised relevant questions and concerns. The aftermath of the detonation, namely EMP, occurred at an unexpected rate. In addition, radioactive debris from the explosion remained in the Earth’s atmosphere over time, which some fear can have an even bigger, worse impact on society.
Operation Starfish Prime Left a Lasting Impact
In conclusion, Operation Starfish Prime was a byproduct of healthy fear that the United States military was facing a potential war. If nothing else, these tests should have served as a lesson for some. Additionally, it’s a reminder for others that weapons that cause damage of this magnitude should be operated carefully. What does that look like? Who knows?
For those who have wondered “What is Operation Starfish Prime?,” now you know!
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Sources:
Starfish Prime, Accessed Aug 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starfish_Prime