If there’s one thing you can count on going wrong, it’s science. Science that’ll help us progress in the world. First it has to undergo a massive process of trial and error that either’ll save the world, or blow it apart in the process. As researchers at Los Alamos recently learned when they fired a gun that was far too powerful.
This is why I don’t believe in conspiracy theories. I think people at that level of government are far too quibbling and neurotic to let other people get away with an agenda that is different than their own. (See: health care.) Also, why I don’t believe in super-weapons. Because people would fire it and bad things would happen. Los Alamos was running tests on what’s known as a large bore powder gun. The weapon acts the same as a cannon, the kind that would’ve been used during the days of the civil war.
Only when they fired it for testing, it managed to cause structural damage to the tune of several million dollars to one of their research buildings.
So the moral here is, if you’ve got a cannon, and really want to do research on it, you should probably point it away from the building. It’d help out a lot with the debris cleaning process, as there’ll be far less and the building’ll still be in one piece.
Comments
nukem
December 25th, 2009 - 5:55:52 AM
Sensational journalism is irresponsible journalism. The LBPG isn't "pointed" at anything - boob. From the NNSA spokesman: "Here are the facts: On December 16, Los Alamos conducted a standard proof test on a new design for a catch tank in the target chamber for one of our large bore powder guns (LBPG). These types of experiments are routine and responsible. The LBPG is used to conduct measurements of material properties at pressures needed for understanding nuclear weapons performance. During this particular test, unexpected explosive damage occurred and, because that damage could result in $1 million in damages, an investigation was automatically triggered. That investigation will seek to identify the cause of the incident and any changes in procedures that might be required. NNSA, Los Alamos, and all of our facilities take their commitment to safety very seriously. It is important to note that no personnel were injured from this event, no hazardous or radioactive materials were involved, and that lab’s incident response mechanisms appear to have performed as intended."
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Mark Lorenz
December 25th, 2009 - 6:09:55 AM
Yes, but I couldn't quote that entire passage. Boob.
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ablmc
December 26th, 2009 - 8:00:49 AM
From your post you obviously couldn't even read and comprehend it, let alone quote it.
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Mark Lorenz
December 26th, 2009 - 12:53:41 PM
OOOOOH, BURN.
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ablmc
December 27th, 2009 - 9:47:54 AM
Well really - what do you expect if you write such uninformed drivel. It is not a weapon. Extensive information on this equipment, including what it is for and how it is used, is freely available if you know how to use google scholar.
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