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Defense
Different neutron energies enhance asteroid deflection
A research collaboration between Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) investigates how the neutron energy output from a nuclear device detonation can affect the deflection of an asteroid. Scientists compared the resulting asteroid deflection from two different neutron energy sources, representative of fission and…
Ten-year anniversary of Fukushima observed
Ten years ago today, on March 11, 2011, a 9.0 Richter-scale earthquake and tsunami in Japan resulted in severe damage to the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant and also led to releases of radioactivity into the environment. That same day, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) activated Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s National Atmospheric Release Advisory Center …
LLNL and NPS ink MOU for collaboration
Whether working informally or through a collaboration agreement, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and the Monterey-based Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) have enjoyed an enduring relationship for more than two decades. While the two institutions have worked together informally for years, until recently they had only one memorandum of understanding (MOU)…
Lab-designed instrumentation onboard unarmed missile
A joint test assembly (JTA) designed by Lawrence Livermore and Sandia national laboratories was recently onboard an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which was successfully launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. See the video. The purpose of the ICBM test launch program is to validate and verify the safety, security,…
Lab-designed instrumentation onboard unarmed missile
A joint test assembly (JTA) designed by Lawrence Livermore and Sandia national laboratories was recently onboard an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which was successfully launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. See the video. The purpose of the ICBM test launch program is to validate and verify the safety, security,…
LLNL’s Tringe provides final OK for Minuteman launch
Col. Joe Tringe, a group leader at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and an Air Force reservist, served as the final decision authority during the recent successful unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. See the video. As launch decision authority, Tringe worked closely with the mission…
LLNL’s Charles and Debbie Ball receive Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's (LLNL's) Charles and Debbie Ball have received the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) Medal for Exceptional Public Service while on assignment with OSD. The medal is presented by the secretary of Defense to non-career federal employees, private citizens and foreign nationals. The citation noted that Charles Ball made…
Kim Budil selected as director of Lawrence Livermore
Kim Budil has been named director of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). Charlene Zettel, chair of Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC (LLNS), which manages the Laboratory for the Department of Energy's (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), made the announcement to Laboratory employees Jan. 28. Budil will begin her new role on March 2…
Lab teams earn DOE Secretary Achievement Awards
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) employees, participating in 10 project teams, recently earned Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Achievement Awards. Representing some of the highest internal, non-monetary recognition that DOE employees and contractors can receive, these awards recognize DOE employees and contractors for their service and contributions to…
Lab researchers, NASA find space station’s surface microbial profile resembles skin of its crew members
A study conducted by a team of national laboratory and NASA researchers has found that the environment of the International Space Station is affected by the microbial composition of the astronauts themselves. The five-year research effort represents the first study to compare the space station's environmental microbial profile (or microbiome) to an astronaut’s microbiome…
Gioconda receives NNSA Gold Award
In recognition of more than 40 years of service to the U.S. Air Force, Department of Energy and National Nuclear Security Administration, Tom Gioconda has been awarded the NNSA Administrator’s Gold Medal. Gioconda, who recently stepped down as deputy director of the Lab, received his award from NNSA Administrator Lisa E. Gordon-Hagerty in early December in Washington, D.C…
Join the largest online wargaming event ever
The Project on Nuclear Gaming (PoNG) is hosting an online playfest for its first game, SIGNAL, a video game focused on understanding the issues surrounding nuclear deterrence and strategic stability. Thousands have signed up to play SIGNAL since the public launch in May 2019 and the experimental wargaming concept has been featured in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists…
Lab director names UC Vice President Kim Budil to lead Weapons and Complex Integration
Kim Budil has been named Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s new principal associate director for Weapons & Complex Integration (WCI), Director Bill Goldstein announced on Tuesday. The appointment is effective Feb. 4. Budil will lead the Laboratory’s nuclear weapons program in its responsibilities to ensure the safety, security and reliability of the nation’s…
Harold Brown: Nuclear deterrence pioneer and former Lab director leaves indelible legacy
An intellectual giant who led development of technologies that modernized nuclear deterrence and played integral roles during the most dramatic moments of the Cold War while serving under four U.S. presidents, Harold Brown’s life was indelibly intertwined with national security. The physicist, former Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory director and secretary of Defense…
Scientists design conceptual asteroid deflector and evaluate it against massive potential threat
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) scientists are part of a national planetary defense team that designed a conceptual spacecraft to deflect Earth-bound asteroids and evaluated whether it would be able to nudge a massive asteroid – which has a remote chance to hitting Earth in 2135 – off course. The design and case study are outlined in a paper published…
Foster Medal awarded to Victor H. Reis, 'architect' of Stockpile Stewardship Program
It was 1993. The Cold War was over. The U.S. had declared a moratorium on nuclear testing, and a new strategy of ensuring the safety and reliability of the nation’s nuclear deterrent would soon be needed. Victor "Vic" Reis, then the Department of Energy’s assistant secretary of Defense Programs, added the phrase "science-based" to what Congress had begun calling "stockpile…
Victor H. Reis to be awarded John S. Foster Jr. Medal for contributions to nuclear security
For more than 50 years, Victor Reis has dedicated his career to advancing science and technology in support of U.S. national security. In recognition of his outstanding leadership and service to the nation, he has been named the third recipient of the John S. Foster Jr. Medal. Established by Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC (LLNS) and bestowed on an annual basis…
Lab physicist's sensor work wins DARPA award
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) named Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory engineer and physicist Vincent Tang as a Program Manager of the Year for 2016, recognizing him for leading a program involving multiple agencies to develop and deploy networked sensors for dynamic, real-time radiological and nuclear threat detection over large urban areas…
Lab helps field source physics experiment
A Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) team played a key role in fielding the recent Source Physics Experiment (SPE-6) detonated at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS). This SPE-6 test, was conducted Oct. 12 and was the last of a series of six underground, high-explosive tests conducted in a borehole in hard rock. The SPE is a set of experiments designed to…
Lab physicist receives DoD award
Lab employee Craig Wuest has received one of the top civilian awards from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). A citation accompanying the award - the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service – highlights Wuest’s work to strengthen DoD’s nuclear survivability posture and his role as executive secretary for the Defense Science Board Task…
