Skip to main content Mobile menu button Mobile search button
The Runway Air Force Logo
  • ADELE
  • Help
  • Request membership
  • Log in
Home
Articles (2945) Collections Topics
Runway Flix (117) Archive (1764)
Search
Search
Close
Military History

The Cold War nuclear test that turned the sky crimson

Nicholas Slayton
15 March 2025
4 min
PME All levels

BLUF

In the early 1960s, the US military fired nuclear rockets into space to study electromagnetic pulses and their effects, creating a massive crimson aurora, blackouts in Hawaii, and heightened radiation that damaged satellites.
READ: The Cold War nuclear test that turned the sky crimson

References

  • Task & Purpose: High factual reporting 
  • Collections | The Runway (airforce.gov.au)
  • RAAF RUNWAY: RATIONALE, GUIDELINES, LEARNING OUTCOMES, ETC. 
 

Related articles

27 Dec 2025
Military History

How one Japanese vessel spectacularly failed at Pearl Harbor

5 minutes
2 Apr 2025
Military History

The Army didn’t have a photo of the ‘new’ Benning, so we found this one

7 minutes
2 Aug 2025
Military History

Here is every rifle Marines have used in the last 250 years

4 minutes
11 Oct 2025
Military History

Thailand’s Wartime Alliance With Japan – and What It Means Today

7 minutes
Stay in the loop
  • ADELE
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • About
  • Contribute
  • Privacy
  • Acceptable Use Policy
  • Strategic Partner – Interserv

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that images and names of deceased persons may appear on this website

  • Help
  • Request membership
  • Login
  • Home
  • Articles (2945)
  • Collections (38)
  • Topics
  • Runway Flix (117)
  • Archive (1764)
  • Events
  • Wirraway (ADELE)
  • Search