National Atomic Testing Museum Announces March Programs, Promotions

The National Atomic Testing Museum announces its roster of public programs and promotions for March.

All museum events require registration. For more information on the museum’s programs and to register, visit www.nationalatomictestingmuseum.org/museum-events/.

A Night at the Museum: Our Growth and Future Opportunities
Date: Thursday, March 17
Time: 6 to 8 p.m.
Location: Inside the National Atomic Testing Museum located at 755 E Flamingo Road. To RSVP to attend in-person or for the livestream link, click here.
Cost: Free for attendees.
Description: Under the jurisdiction of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) and its related facilities help ensure the security of the United States and its allies by supporting the stewardship of the nation’s nuclear deterrent. The NNSS provides nuclear and radiological emergency response capabilities and training, contributes to key nonproliferation and arms control initiatives, works with national security customers and other federal agencies on important national security activities and provides long-term environmental stewardship of the organization’s Cold War legacy. The National Atomic Testing Museum invites the public to attend a panel discussion with representatives from the NNSS hosted by Mark Martinez, president of the Mission Support and Test Services LLC (MSTS) which manages and operates the NNSS. Attendees can also enjoy a free hour of museum admission before the start of the panel discussion from 5 to 6 p.m. as well as light hors d’oeuvres.
Speaker:

• Dr. Darcie Dennis-Koller, acting senior director of global security, will discuss the work NNSS does to contribute to defense nuclear nonproliferation and why it is important.
• Eugene Hunt, manager of mission delivery, will discuss how the NNSS contributes to stockpile stewardship and two of the experimental capabilities contributing to stockpile stewardship in the NNSA.
• Joel Leeman, director of enterprise infrastructure programs, will discuss the improvements made or to be made to the NNSS in order to continue its mission of national security.
• Dr. Alexis Reed, director of nuclear response, will discuss the importance of national nuclear incident response and give examples of how nuclear incident response supports not only Las Vegas but the world.

National Atomic Testing Museum Celebrates Women’s History Month
Date: Throughout the month of March
Description: In honor of Women’s History Month, the National Atomic Testing Museum will highlight distinguished women from the Nevada National Security Site. For media interested in learning more about these notable individuals and their contributions to the fields of atomic testing and national security, representatives from the National Atomic Testing Museum are available for interviews.
Distinguished Women from Nevada National Security Site:

• Cameron Hawkins is a senior principal engineer for the NNSS. With a passion for math and science, Hawkins pursued a career as a mechanical engineer and now works with a broad range of individuals to solve unique and complex problems benefitting national security.
• Juleigh Perona is a senior principal engineer for the NNSS. Interested in solving problems, Perona became an engineer to create mathematical systems serving greater purposes to improve the world.
• Dr. Marylesa Howard is a manager in diagnostics research and material studies for the NNSS. She recently won the 2022 Sidney D. Drell Science & Technology Award from the Intelligence and National Security Alliance (INSA) Achievement Awards Committee. The annual award recognizes one individual who exemplifies excellence in the intelligence, homeland security and national security communities.

Historical Dates in March

• Pampas, The First of 24 Joint U.S. and U.K. Underground Nuclear Tests: Following the success of Operation Grapple in which the United Kingdom became the third nation to acquire thermonuclear weapons after the United States and the Soviet Union, Britain launched negotiations with the U.S. with a treaty in which both could share information and material to design, test and maintain nuclear weapons. Sixty years ago, on March 1, 1962, the first joint underground nuclear test with the United States and United Kingdom occurred at the Nevada Test Site.
• The Bare Reactor Experiment, Nevada: First erected at the Nevada Test Site in March of 1962, this year marks the 60-year anniversary of the Bare Reactor Experiment, Nevada. The experiment was intended to improve the understanding of the effects of radiation in the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Japanese-style houses were built near the base of the tower and were bombarded with various intensities of radiation.
• Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons: On March 5, 1970, the treaty created to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology to promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy went into effect.
• “Star Wars” Missile Defense Program: The Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), nicknamed the “Star Wars” program was announced on March 23, 1983. Proposed as a missile defense system intended to protect the United States from attack by ballistic strategic nuclear weapons, the concept was announced by former President Ronald Reagan to develop a system that would render nuclear weapons obsolete.

Discounted Admission for Nevada Residents, Seniors, Students and Active Military
Cost: Various discounted tickets range from $18 to $20
Description: The National Atomic Testing Museum offers exclusive discounts for Nevada residents, seniors 62 years or older, students and active military. Tickets can be purchased in person or online by clicking here.

ABOUT NATIONAL ATOMIC TESTING MUSEUM
The National Atomic Testing Museum (NATM) is operated and maintained by its parent company, the Nevada Test Site Historical Foundation (NTSHF), an IRS 501(c)3 charitable, non-profit organization chartered in Nevada. NATM is one of 37 museums designated as an Affiliate Partner of the Smithsonian Institution and is a repository for one of the most comprehensive collections of nuclear history in the world. Covering nuclear history beginning with the first test at the Nevada Test Site on January 27, 1951, NATM’s exhibitions and programming also address current affairs related to the nuclear industry.  For more information, go to www.nationalatomictestingmuseum.org and follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.