The Smoky shot tower soars 700 feet into the air above Yucca Flat. The first atomic test tower of this height, the structure may well be the tallest steel tower of its type.

The tower was designed by Holmes & Narver, inc.

Cab attached, a shot balloon begins ascent during a test run at the Nevada Test Site.

Inflation is accomplished by inserting a metal probe with thousands of holes into a plastic filler tube attached at the bottom of the big balloon.

Hardtack (1958): 1 Balloon - Yucca

Hardtack II (1958): 11 Balloons

Yield: 8 Kilotons
Location: Enewetak Atoll

Operations Crossroads (1946) - 1 underwater

Wigwam (1955) - 1 underwater

Hardtack (1958) - 2 underwater

Dominic (1962) - 1 underwater

Operation Hardtack
Shot Orange (August 12, 1958)

Yield: 3.8 Megatons
Location of launch: Johnston Island

Operations: Hardtack (1958) - 2 space detonations

Argus (1958) - 3 space detonations

Dominic (1962) - 5 space detonations

Operation Plumbob
Shot John (July 19, 1957)

Yield: About 2 Kilotons
Location of launch: Nevada Test Site

A Live nuclear rocket accelerates past the launching F-89 Scorpion. Once launched, the Scorpion banks at about 70 degrees to evade the forthcoming nuclea explosion.

The rocket project was begun in early 1954 and code named "Genie" by the Air Research and Development Command.