B Reactor History Room: Limited Test Ban Treaty

The Limited Test Ban Treaty exhibit panel in the History Room.

See exhibit panel for specific image credits.

Main Text
Text at the bottom reads: “Limited Test Ban Treaty - In 1954, the U.S. conducted a series of nuclear tests at Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands dubbed ‘Operation Castle.’ The first test, Castle Bravo, was the most powerful nuclear detonation by the United States and had a blast yield two and a half times greater than expected. It caused far higher levels of radioactive fallout and damage than predicted and prompted backlash from around the world against atmospheric nuclear testing. After years of negotiations, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union signed the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty on August 5, 1963, which banned all above ground nuclear weapons testing.”

Text at the left reads: “Men on the Japanese Lucky Dragon 5 tuna fishing boat were exposed to fallout from the Castle Bravo test. Japanese biophysicist Yasushi Nishikawa sent this letter to the chief of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission asking for information on how to treat the fishermen who were suffering from acute radiation syndrome.”

Exhibit Panel Description
The poster shows an enlargement of a handwritten letter to the Chief of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, dated March 17, 1954.

Visit This Exhibit Panel
In-person visitation of the B Reactor is only authorized on guided tours offered by the Department of Energy.