nuclear

The former DRDO scientist claimed that at least two more
tests would be required to perfect the thermonuclear device,
known as the hydrogen bomb in popular parlance.

On repeated questions on why he had raised the issue 11
years after the Pokhran-II, Santhanam said he had already told
the government about the failure of the thermonuclear device
in a 50-page classified report submitted in 1998.

He rejected government claims that in 1998 scientists had
collected enough data to conduct computer modelling and
simulation of the thermonuclear tests.

"We have to do more honest homework on thermonuclear
design," he said.

Santhanam and senior physicist Ashok Parthasarathi
circulated photographs of the site of the thermonuclear test
in the Pokhran range in Rajasthan in support of his claim that
the hydrogen bomb explosion had left no crater.

About 400 meters away, the fission test of 20 kilo tons
had left a huge crater, he said indicating that the hydrogen
bomb had failed to achieve the design yield.

Santhanam refused to divulge the exact depth at which the
thermonuclear device was placed in the shaft saying the
information was in the classified domain. He added that had
the test been a success, it would have left a huge crater at
the mouth of the shaft. PTI SKU
DEP


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