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.
Details
Timing:
Fri 4:00 PM - Fri 5:00 PM
Location:
Le Meridien
/ Latitude
/ NSDM HQ
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.
Organizing Group:
GM Names:
NSDM, Mark McDonagh, Craig Greathouse, Merle Robinson, Evan Siegling, Michael Tucker, Jason Corner, Marc Parker, Ryan Good, Ronald Homer, Shawn Kratzert, Pat Jewett nsdmmail@gmail.com
Event Type:
Game System:
N/A
Rules Edition:
N/A
# Players:
1 - 150 players
Age Required:
Everyone (6+)
Experience Required:
None (You've never played before - rules will be taught)
Materials Provided?:
No
Tournament?:
No
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