Editing Operation Argus (section)

==Objectives==

The tests were proposed by [[Nicholas Christofilos]] in an unpublished paper<ref name="Van Allen et all, 1959">{{cite journal |last1=Van Allen |first1=James A. |author-link1=James A. Van Allen |first2=Carl E. |last2=McIlwain |author-link2=Carl E. McIlwain |first3=George H. |last3=Ludwig |author-link3=George H. Ludwig |title=Satellite observations of electrons artificially injected into the geomagnetic field |journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences |volume=45 |issue=8 |date=15 August 1959 |pages=1152–1171 |type=PDF |jstor=90137 |doi=10.1073/pnas.45.8.1152 |bibcode=1959PNAS...45.1152V |doi-access=free |pmc=222697 }}</ref> of what was then the Livermore branch of the [[Lawrence Radiation Laboratory]] (now [[Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory]]) as a means to verify the [[Christofilos effect]], which argued that high-altitude nuclear detonations would create a radiation belt in the extreme upper regions of the Earth's atmosphere.<ref name="Christofilos1959">{{cite journal |author-link=Nicholas Christofilos |first=Nicholas C. |last=Christofilos |url=http://www.pnas.org/content/45/8/1144.full.pdf?sid=1423621b-29be-40ad-916e-9aa481130d28 |type=PDF |journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America |volume=45 |issue=8 |date=15 August 1959 |pages=1144–1152 |jstor=90136 |access-date=2017-06-06 |title=The Argus Experiment |doi=10.1073/pnas.45.8.1144 |bibcode=1959PNAS...45.1144C |doi-access=free |archive-date=16 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116011853/https://www.pnas.org/content/pnas/45/8/1144.full.pdf?sid=1423621b-29be-40ad-916e-9aa481130d28 |url-status=live }}</ref> Such belts would be similar in effect to the [[Van Allen radiation belt]]s. "Such radiation belts were viewed as having possible tactical use in war, including degradation of radio and radar transmissions, damage or destruction of the arming and fuzing mechanisms of ICBM warheads, and endangering the crews of orbiting [[space vehicle]]s that might enter the belt."<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|last=Department of Defense|first=Defense Nuclear Agency|date=1958|title=Operation ARGUS, 1958|journal=Department of Defense Documents|pages=1–143|hdl=2027/uiug.30112075683737}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> Prior to Argus, [[Hardtack Teak]] had shown disruption of radio communications from a nuclear blast, though this was not due to the creation of [[Van Allen radiation belt|radiation belts]].

''Argus'' was implemented rapidly after inception due to forthcoming bans on atmospheric and exoatmospheric testing in October 1958.<ref name=":0" /> Consequently, the tests were performed within a mere half-year of conception (whereas "normal" testing took one to two years).<ref name="DNA 6039F">{{cite web |publisher=[[Defense Threat Reduction Agency|Defense Nuclear Agency]] |title=Report DNA 6039F: Operation Argus 1958 |work=Nuclear Test Personnel Review |year=1982 |url=http://www.dtra.mil/documents/ntpr/historical/1958%20-%20DNA%206039F%20-%20Operation%20ARGUS%20-%201958.pdf |access-date=1 June 2010 |oclc=760071663 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120130035125/http://www.dtra.mil/documents/ntpr/historical/1958%20-%20DNA%206039F%20-%20Operation%20ARGUS%20-%201958.pdf |archive-date=30 January 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Because nuclear testing during this time was arguably a violation of the rules, the military borrowed International Geophysical Year equipment to disguise the [[Nuclear weapons testing|nuclear tests]].<ref name=":0" />

* Two missiles, with warheads 136–227&nbsp;kg to be launched within one month of each other, originating from a single site.
* The missiles were to be detonated at altitudes of {{convert|200|–|1,000|mi|km}}, and also at {{convert|2,000|–|4,000|mi|km}}. Both detonations should occur near the [[geomagnetic equator]].
* Satellites were to be placed in equatorial (up to 30°) and polar (up to 70°) orbits, with [[perigee]]s of roughly {{convert|322|km|sp=us}} and apogees of roughly {{convert|2900|km|sp=us}} or greater. These [[satellite]]s were to be used to measure [[electron density]] over time, and include a [[magnetometer]], as well as a means for measuring ambient [[Noise (radio)|radio noise]]. Measurements were to be taken before the shots to determine a baseline, as well as during and after the events.
* [[Sounding rocket]]s, launched from appropriate ground locations, were to carry the same instrumentation as the satellites, except for radio noise. Ground stations to be used to study effects on radio astronomy and radar probing as well as auroral measurements.

Originally ''Argus'' was designated ''Hardtack-Argus'', and later ''Floral''. For reasons of security, both names were disused in favor of the independent name ''Argus''.

Funding was provided by the [[Armed Forces Special Weapons Project]] (AFSWP), the predecessor of the present [[Defense Threat Reduction Agency]] (DTRA). Total funds allotted for the project were [[US Dollar|US$]]9,023,000.