DOCUMENT 2







                  ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION

MEETING NO. 863

10:30 a.m., Monday, May 18, 1953

* * * * * *

     Present             Also Present

     Gordon Dean         John C. Bugher
     Henry D. Smyth      Don S. Burrows
     Eugene M. Zuckert   Comdr. James M. Dunford
                         Brig. Gen. K. E. Fields
     M. W. Boyer         Francis J. McCarthy
     Walter J. Williams  Philip Mullenbach
                         Morse Salisbury
     William Mitchell    Col. Vincent G. Huston
     Harold L. Price     Lt. Col. Raymond P. Campbell
                         Alvin C. Graves
     Roy B. Snapp
     John H. Stumpf

1.   AEC 487/55 - Proposed Additional Shot for UPSHOT-
     KNOTHOLE Series

     General Fields discussed with the Commissioners the basis
for the proposal that an additional shot be included in the
UPSHOT-KNOTHOLE series.  He described the device to be tested
and he and Mr. Graves commented on the significance of this
test for future operations and for the program of weapon
development.  Since no similar device had ever been tested,
estimates of the yield were somewhat uncertain; however, yield
would probably be (deleted)

     Mr. Dean said he was concerned that so large a detonation
might produce serious shock in nearby communities or that it
might cause severe fall-out or rain-out on more distant
localities.  Mr. Graves said that since this would be the last 
test of the series, it would be possible to select the weather 
conditions with great care.  By this means severe shock damage 
or excessive fall-out could be avoided.  He pointed out, moreover, 
that this test called for an airplane drop, and a detonation at 
1,000 to 1,300 feet, not a tower shot, and this would be a 
significant factor in keeping fall-out to the minimum.  He then 
discussed with the Commissioners such matters as the accuracy of 
local and general weather predictions as they affect test 
schedules and the possibility of delayed detonation due to fuze 
failure or other factors.

     Mr. Dean asked whether it was considered necessary to
make a public announcement concerning the unusually high yield
of the device to be tested.  Mr. Graves and General Fields
said that they considered it unnecessary to go beyond the
information contained in the draft press release on this
subject.  (Appendix "B" to AEC 487/55).  Mr. Graves pointed
out that the greater power of this device would probably not
be noticed by persons in nearby communities.

     The Commissioners indicated that their approval of the
additional test would be based on the assumption that the
greatest care would be taken to minimize the effects of the
detonation.

     The Commission:

          APPROVED the recommendation of AEC 487/55.

     At this point General Fields, Dr. Bugher, Colonels Huston
and Campbell and Mr. Graves left the meeting and Messrs.
Burrows, McCarthy and Mullenbach entered.




                              DELETED



                         Roy B. Snapp
                         Secretary

Approved by the Commission:  June 25, 1953