Would it be possible to create an EMP burst if a nuclear weapon were detonated in space?

Answer 1

High altitude nuclear explosions have historically been nuclear explosions which take place outside the Earth's atmosphere. Such explosions have been tests of nuclear weapons, used to determine the effects of the blast and radiation in the exoatmospheric environment.

The only nations to detonate nuclear weapons in outer space are the United States and the Soviet Union. The U.S. program began in 1958, with the Teak and Orange shots, both 3.8 megatons. These warheads were initially carried on Redstone rockets. Later tests were delivered by Thor missiles for Operation Dominic I tests, and modified Lockheed X-17 missiles for the Argus tests. The purpose of the shots was to determine both feasibility of nuclear weapons as an anti-ballistic missile defense, as well as a means to defeat satellites and manned orbiting vehicles in space.

As it was realized that nuclear weapons created an electromagnetic pulse, the potential as an anti-satellite weapon became apparent: in August 1958 during Hardtack Teak, the EMP was observed at the Apia Observatory at Samoa to be four times more powerful than any created by solar storms, while in July 1962 the Starfish Prime test damaged electronics in Honolulu and New Zealand approximately 800 miles away), fused 300 street lights on Oahu (Hawaii), set off about 100 burglar alarms, and caused the failure of a microwave repeating station on Kauai, which cut off the sturdy telephone system from the other Hawaiian islands [1]. The radius for an effective satellite kill for the various prompt radiations produced by such a nuclear weapon in space was determined to be roughly 80 km. Further testing to this end was carried out, and embodied in a Department of Defense program, Program 437.

The problems with nuclear weapons carried over to testing and deployment scenarios, however. Because of the very large radius associated with nuclear events, it was nearly impossible to prevent indiscriminate damage to other satellites, including one's own satellites. Starfish Prime produced an artificial radiation belt in space which soon destroyed three satellites (Ariel, Traac, and Transit 4B all failed after transversing the radiation belt, while Cosmos V, Injun I and Telstar suffered minor degradation, due to some radiation damage to solar cells, etc. [2]). The radiation dose rate was at least 60 rads/day at four months after Starfish for a well-shielded satellite or manned capsule in a polar circular earth orbit [3], which caused NASA concern with regard to its manned space exploration programs.

In general, nuclear effects in space (or very high altitudes) have a qualitatively different display. While an atmospheric nuclear explosion has a characteristic mushroom-shaped cloud, high-altitude and space explosions tend to manifest a spherical 'cloud,' reminiscent of other space-based explosions until distorted by earth's magnetic field, and the charged particles resulting from the blast can cross hemispheres to create an auroral display which has led one filmmaker to characterize these detonations as 'the rainbow bombs'. The visual effects of a high-altitude or space-based explosion may last longer than atmospheric tests, sometimes in excess of 30 minutes. Heat from the Bluegill Triple Prime shot, at an altitude of 31 miles, was felt by personnel on the ground at Johnston Atoll, and this test caused retina burns to two personnel at ground zero who were not wearing their safety goggles [4].

The Soviets detonated four high-altitude tests in 1961 and three in 1962. During the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962, both the US and the USSR detonated several high-altitude nuclear explosions as a form of saber-rattling. The Soviet tests were meant to demonstrate their anti-ballistic missile defenses which would supposedly protect their major cities in the event of a nuclear war. The worst effects of a Russian high altitude test occurred on 22 October 1962 (during the Cuban missile crisis), in ‘Operation K’ (ABM System A proof tests) when a 300-kt missile-warhead detonated near Dzhezkazgan at 290-km altitude. The EMP fused 570 km of overhead telephone line with a measured current of 2,500 A, started a fire that burned down the Karaganda power plant, and shut down 1,000-km of shallow-buried power cables between Aqmola and Almaty [5]. The Partial Test Ban Treaty was passed the following year, ending atmospheric and exoatmospheric nuclear tests.

Answer 2

Yes, the emp burst and the whole nuclear explosion thing do not depend on gravity, oxygen or anything on Earth to work. Detonating a nuke in space to burn out electronics on Earth is an old cold war scenario.....the distances and the problem of getting a nuke in orbit were problems, especially in light of the non-poliferation in space treaties.

A small nuke however, is an efficent way of killing the other guy's space-based weapons, as shielding against EMP is very heavy and therefore not well suited for space systems.

Answer 3

Yes.

Nuclear weapons produce EMP bursts, regardless of where they are detonated. The effects would be more widespread if the bomb was detonated at high altitude, though.

Answer 4

Regardless of where it is denotated an EMP will be produced if only for the briefest of moments and yes, even in a vacuum like space. It's a pulse of energy particles.

Answer 5

Yes.

Answer 6

Not only possible, but inevitable.