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Machine-read from the scan, so expect some errors. Lines that couldn’t be read are left out.
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ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION “. No. 963 FOR RELEASE IN MORNING NEWSPAPERS Tel. ST 3-8000 FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1957 AEC TO CONDUCT 1957 TEST SERIES IN NEVADA > A series of low-yield nuclear tests will be con- ‘> ducted at the U. S. Atomic Energy Commissions Nevada Test ‘> Site with the cooperation of the Department of Defense and ‘“+ beginning in late Spring 1957. Tests of high-yield devices .~, are not conducted in Nevada. \ The program of tests is aimed to attain new knowl- ; edge important to the defense of the United States and the $ Free World, which must be maintained pending ultimate attainment of international agreement on safeguarded disarmament. (. The development of weapons for defense against attack is a ‘Q major objective. Studies of weapons effects will also be continued in order to improve military and civil defense against nuclear attack. The Federal Civil Defense Administration will participate in the serfes. An extensive radiation monitoring network will again be used during the series. About 12 monitoring teams supplied by the U. S. Public Health Service will be stationed in communities near the test site. In addition, the U. S. Public Health Service network of monitors in about 40 cities across the nation, established prior to the last Eniwetok test series in the Spring of 1956, will be in operation. Radiological qonitoring also will be conducted at 12 Commission installations. About 100 U. S. Weather Bureau stations will cooperate in the program. The 1957 test series will be called “Operation PLUMBBOB’t. When finally established, the scheduled date for the beginning of the series will be announced. A termination date cannot be definitely announced at this time.
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In addition to the series of nuclear tests, there will be further experiments at the Nevada Test Site similar to those announced in October 1955, related to the safety of various weapons and experimental devices in the event of accidents such as fires during handling or storage. These safety tests will occur intermittently throughout the year. Following standard practice in connection with U.S. nuclear tests, announcement is being made well in advance of the start of the series. Arrangements will be made for limited on-site reportage of some of the test explosions by representatives of public news media, and a limited number of Civil Defense observers will be present.