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Russia Releases "Tsar Bomba" Test Footage Of The Most Powerful Nuclear Bomb Blast Ever
The nuclear bomb, codenamed "Ivan," that was dropped by the Soviet Union over Novaya Zemlya in the Arctic Ocean on October 30, 1961, was the largest device of its kind ever detonated. The monstrous weapon had a yield of around 50 megatons — equivalent to 50 million tons of TNT. Until now, the available imagery of that test has been strictly limited, consisting of short, grainy clips and poor-quality stills.
The colossal Ivan device was developed under a program known as izdeliye 202 (meaning "product 202", otherwise known simply as "V"). Years later, when more details became known about it in the West, the weapon would be dubbed "Tsar Bomba."
On August 20, 2020, the Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation — the Russian state concern responsible for nuclear enterprises, including nuclear weapons — released a 30-minute documentary film on its official YouTube channel showing the test in unprecedented detail, from the initial transport of the device itself to the mushroom cloud that later rose some 6.2 miles over the Arctic archipelago. The release of the film coincides with the 75th anniversary of Russia's nuclear industry — although a thermonuclear bomb popularly described in the West as a "doomsday weapon" was perhaps an unusual choice for the commemoration. Regardless, it was a remarkable technological achievement.
Test of a clean hydrogen bomb with a yield of 50 megatons (40m28s video). Detonation footage starts after 22:40, with more footage after the end of the documentary starting at 29:32.
Wikipedia entry for Tsar Bomba.
(Score: 2) by looorg on Wednesday August 26 2020, @12:39AM (4 children)
It was probably decided for one reason or another, on the other hand do you want to be the one to tell Comrade Stalin that the weather was a little bad so you decided to postpone the bomb test. Plus they probably figured it would be bright enough at detonation that the weather might not matter all that much. It was probably insignificant compared to what was about to happen, or I guess they just liked it cloudy.
(Score: 2) by leon_the_cat on Wednesday August 26 2020, @01:03AM (1 child)
I somehow think how it would look on youtube in 60 years time was the least of their worries.
(Score: 2) by looorg on Wednesday August 26 2020, @01:14AM
Which would explain why they only recorded in 480p, no HD or anything. Very inconsiderate.
(Score: 2) by barbara hudson on Wednesday August 26 2020, @02:52AM (1 child)
SoylentNews is social media. Says so right in the slogan. Soylentnews is people, not tech.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday August 26 2020, @01:27PM
I'm fairly sure your facts are bullshit and you smoke Kool Aid based on the circle/sphere law. 2x is 10x.