Starfish Prime was the largest of the high-altitude nuclear tests conducted by the United States, part of a series known as Operation Dominic. Its primary objective was to understand the effects of nuclear explosions on the ionosphere and to gauge the impact of electromagnetic pulses (EMPs) on various electronic devices and systems. The test utilized a 1.4 megaton thermonuclear device detonated approximately 400 kilometers above the Earth’s surface. This unprecedented event resulted in a spectacular display of artificial auroras that could be observed across the Pacific and even as far as Hawaii. The immediate impact of the explosion included damage to several satellites, notably theGRID and the TRANSIT communication satellites, which were crucial for navigation and communications at the time. The radiation and EMP generated by the detonation disrupted electronics, leading to extensive discussions about the vulnerabilities of satellites and other critical systems to similar future nuclear detonations.

In addition to testing military capabilities, Starfish Prime came at a time of heightened Cold War tensions and a nuclear arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union. The event underscored the need for a deeper understanding of nuclear phenomena, particularly at high altitudes, and spurred further research into the effects of nuclear detonations in space. The results of this experiment also played a significant role in shaping international discourse on the safety and security of space technologies in the context of nuclear warfare.