Operation Argus: Atmospheric Nuclear Tests

In 1958, the U.S. conducted Operation Argus, a covert series of low-yield nuclear detonations in the upper atmosphere. The objective was to create a radiation belt capable of degrading radio and radar transmissions while damaging and destroying ICBM warheads. The tests demonstrated the potential effectiveness of such a belt but also revealed that it dissipated too rapidly to be highly efficient, posing risks to space vehicle crews.