BOOM

Ridddle discusses “How the US Nuked Space and Changed the World” examines the U.S. military’s ambitious nuclear experiments during the Cold War, including the 1962 Starfish Prime test which caused widespread disruptions on Earth and spurred fears of potential nuclear actions concerning the moon. After showcasing the capabilities and perils of nuclear detonations in space, the narrative outlines Project A119’s plan for a lunar explosion and discusses Project Orion’s concept of a spacecraft powered by nuclear blasts, both ultimately shelved due to safety and political concerns. The video also touches on President Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative, aimed at intercepting missiles with advanced space technologies, and contemporary challenges in using nuclear methods for asteroid deflection, highlighting the complex interplay of military strategy and scientific exploration. Ultimately, it debates the absurdity and impracticality of using thermonuclear bombs for terraforming Mars, while still igniting interest in future space endeavors.