Avatar photoNorth Korea’s Design Choices

The DPRK apparently told China before its 2006 test that they were aiming for a yield of about 4 KT but they only acheived a yield around ½ KT. This implies that there was a significant problem with that design. ( Their announcement of this test seems to indicate that they are acknowledging that.) If …

Avatar photoNorth Korean Nuclear Test Mb

Ack, there is a reason I have a rule about blogging before a cup of coffee. In an earlier post, I made a math mistake (actually several, including a data entry error in a spread sheet). Anyway, here is the data on the North Korean nuclear test, with very simple yield estimates. The US Geological …

Avatar photoNORK Test Still Small (Not)

Sorry, I hit “live” accidentally before I finished proof-reading. This one looks big(ger).

Avatar photoThe Second North Korean Nuclear Test

North Korea announced today that they have conducted test of a test of a nuclear weapon. Coming on the heals of their failed satellite launch attempt April 5th, the DPRK made sure to point out in their announcement that this one had a higher yield than their last test. Estimates first varied on the yield …