The History of High Consequence Testing at Sandia National Labs

🔍High consequence testing is characterized by high stakes and the inability to repeat tests.

🚀Sandia National Labs originated from a determination to test for every conceivable combat situation.

🧪Early Sandia engineers, many of whom were WWII veterans, witnessed weapon systems that failed under combat conditions.

💥High consequence testing involves finding critical weaknesses and torturing weapons to failure.

🌍During the Cold War, when atomic bomb testing was critical, there was no room for error.

What is high consequence testing?

—High consequence testing involves testing with high stakes and the inability to repeat tests.

What was Sandia National Labs' origin in high consequence testing?

—Sandia National Labs started high consequence testing in the 1940s to test for every conceivable combat situation.

Why were early Sandia engineers determined to test everything?

—Early Sandia engineers, many of whom were WWII veterans, witnessed weapon systems that failed under combat conditions.

What is the objective of high consequence testing?

—The objective is to find critical weaknesses and torture weapons to failure.

Why was there no room for error during the Cold War?

—During the Cold War, atomic bomb testing was critical for national security, and there were no second chances.

01:19The history of high consequence testing at Sandia National Labs began in the 1940s.

01:43Early Sandia engineers were WWII veterans who witnessed weapon systems that failed under combat conditions.

02:01High consequence testing involves finding critical weaknesses and torturing weapons to failure.

03:05During the Cold War, atomic bomb testing had no room for error, with the threat of atomic annihilation.

06:16Sandia National Labs continues to create and dissipate kinetic energy through high consequence testing.