The Joint Actinide Shock Physics Experimental Research (JASPER) team—made up of Nevada National Security Sites (NNSS) and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory personnel—recently achieved a significant milestone, successfully executing its 200th experimental shot.
The JASPER two-stage gas gun conducts experiments which investigate the physics of shock release to support actinide research and physics certification. The results are used to refine code used in other simulations, enabling better predictive capability and ensuring confidence in the U.S. nuclear stockpile.
“The JASPER team is one of the best-executing groups that I’ve ever been associated with,” said Veraun Chipman, an NNSS senior scientist who works with JASPER. “The national security importance of the JASPER mission and the quantity and quality of data produced over these last 23 years cannot be overstated.”
JASPER has also fired non-actinide developmental shots in addition to its experimental shots since its inception in 2001 and its first experiment in 2003. In total, JASPER has recorded data from more than 267 shots.
“The work is vital to the nation, and it’s also rewarding on a personal level,” Veraun said. “We’re all looking forward to the next 200 shots.”
Learn more about the JASPER team and the two-stage JASPER gas gun in this YouTube video, and watch video of a live JASPER shot here.