The most controversial nuke program ever: Operation Plumbbob

National Nuclear Security Administration / Nevada Site Office

It was the biggest and the most controversial nuclear test series to ever take place in the continental United States. Between May 28 and October 7, 1957, a series of 29 atomic bombs were detonated as part of a study of the effects that nuclear explosions had on structures, people and animals. About 16,000 American troops were exposed, as well as some 1,200 pigs. The final tab still won

The "Owens" cloud in the middle stages of its surge to 35,000 feet above Yucca Flat, showing early phase of ice cap forming over cloud top

The 500 foot tower shot Shasta detonated at the NTS on August 18, 1957

The cloud from Doppler, the 13th full-scale nuclear detonation of the Summer 1957 test series, is shown as it rose to an altitude of about 36,000 feet.

The Franklin Prime Event is detonated from a balloon in Yucca Flat at an altitude of 750 feet, Aug. 30, 1957.

U.S. nuclear test "Smoky," 31 August 1957. Troop operations near ground zero shortly after detonation resulted in overexposure and elevated leukemia levels.

The Fitzeau Event was a 11-kiloton tower test detonated 14 September 1957 at the Nevada Test Site.

The early cloud of Whitney, Operation Plumbbob's 22nd atomic detonation, retains an ionization glow minutes after detonation. The mushroom cloud sheared cleanly from the stem before the cloud rose to about 30,000 feet, September 23, 1957.

A photograph of NATO observers attending BOLTZMANN Event (28 May 1957) detonation at Nevada Test Site."

Franklin cloud and blimp illuminated by flare.

Atomic cloud resulting from detonation of the first atomic device to be fired from a captive balloon is shown 5 seconds after detonation. Photo was taken from aircraft 5

The fireball from the Wilson Event, June 18, 1957, Yucca Flat, was photographed from a distance of about five miles, seconds after detonation.

THE fireball caused by Priscilla on 6/24/57 as a part of the Operation Plumbbob series.

Hood's mushroom cloud begins to form above Yucca Flat. The July 5, 1957 above nominal shot sent a thermal wave across the desert, igniting bushes and other growth on nearby foothills near the surface of the ground.

The Diablo fireball July 15, 1957.

Photo of the "Plumbbob John" nuclear warhead test on 19 July 1957. This test was a combination proof test of the AIR-2A Genie unguided air-to-air rocket, and an effects test of the W-25 warhead. The AIR-2A was fired from a Northrop F-89J Scorpion fighter. The rocket travelled 4240 meters in 4.5 seconds at an altitude of 18,500 ft before detonating the 1.7 kt warhead.

Kepler detonated 07/24/57.

A view of the 500 foot tower used in conjunction with the Diablo shot.

The tail section of a U.S. Navy dirigible is shown with the Stokes cloud in background. The unmanned dirigible was in temporary free flight five miles from ground zero when it collapsed from the shock wave from the blast. On ground to the left are remains of the forward section.

Aerial view of Camp Mercury and Desert Rock taken on 3/30/57.