August '49, first Soviet nuclear test changed the Cold War. Western analysts thought it would not be for 4-5 years. Spies, design, impact. Capt. Mark McDonagh, USN/ret., physicist on NSDMG staff.
Long Description:
August 29, 1949, Soviet Union tests its first nuclear weapon at what would become a major test site in Kazakhstan. Similar to the US Fatman, it was a plutonium implosion weapon of about 22 kiloton yield. The test, which the Soviets called RDS-1, also Izdeliye 501 (Device 501) & First Lightning, was code named as Joe-1 (after Joseph Stalin) by the West. It surprised most analysts who thought the USSR would not be a nuclear power for 4-5 years. This changed the nature of the still-newborn Cold War. Lecture discusses stolen Manhattan Project data, detection of the test by US intel, Soviet design, Soviet follow-up & impact on developmental weapons programs by both sides & on the Cold War in general. Presented by Capt. Mark McDonagh, USN/ret., physicist & former nuclear submarine officer with 12 years' experience at the Naval War College, on the National Security Decision Making Game staff.
Event Type:
SEM - Seminar
Minimum Players:
1
Maximum Players:
150
Age Required:
Everyone (6+)
Experience Required:
None (You've never played before - rules will be taught)
Duration:
1
Game Master Names:
NSDM, Mark McDonagh, Craig Greathouse, Merle Robinson, Evan Siegling, Michael Tucker, Jason Corner, Marc Parker, Ryan Good, Ronald Homer, Shawn Kratzert, Pat Jewett