Ranger

Abstract

On January 11, 1951, the Atomic Energy Commission announced that the President of the United States had authorized the Commission to use part of Las Vegas Bombing and Gunnery Range for “experiments necessary to the atomic weapons development program.” Sixteen days later, on January 21st, the first test, codenamed Able, exploded at 0545 hours Pacific Standard Time 1,060 feet over the dry lake bed of Frenchman Flat with a yield of one kiloton. In quick succession, four more devices were dropped over Frenchman Flat with yields ranging from one to twenty-two kilotons.