National Security Science Podcast

Nov 25 2024 19 ep. 18 mins 33
National Security Science Podcast artwork

The National Security Science podcast is a spin-off of National Security Science magazine at Los Alamos National Laboratory. We bring you stories from the Lab’s Weapons Program—stories that show how innovative science and engineering are the key to keeping America safe. Or, as we like to say, better science equals better security.

  Science  Government  History
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Manufacturing nuclear weapons parts; Lab fellows; supermassive black hole

Nov 25 2024 17 mins  
In this episode, NSS explores a little-known facility at Los Alamos National Laboratory that supports national security by manufacturing nonnuclear parts for the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile. The Mark Quality Manufacturing Center performs machining, assembly, and inspection. The goal is making perfect parts. The episode also introduces the latest Los Alamos National Laborat

Norris Bradbury, Los Alamos History, AI

Sep 16 2024 15 mins  
Episode Summary: National Security Science magazine interviews Los Alamos National Laboratory historian Nic Lewis about the Lab’s longest serving director, Norris Bradbury. Learn about how Bradbury impacted the evolution of the Lab. You’ll also hear historical audio clips from Bradbury himself. Labcast: Los Alamos establishes Open AI partnership for studying biological threats

Nuclear Weapons Effects, Artificial Intelligence, Subcritical Experiments

Jun 26 2024 28 mins  
Los Alamos National Laboratory Chief Scientist for Weapons Effects Tim Goorley explains how understanding nuclear weapons effects is a crucial component of national security. He addresses what happens when a nuclear device detonates and how scientists study nuclear weapons effects. Labcast: Artificial Intelligence takes center stage as Los Alamos National Laboratory creates Nationa

National Nuclear Deterrence Summary with Jill Hruby, Bob Webster, and Will Toby, Exceeding Expectations for Hazardous Waste, Indigenous Physics Students

May 03 2024 28 mins  
This episode topic is deterrence. We'll explore the meaning of deterrence and how the national labs help keep our country safe. We'll also bring you some audio from a deterrence conference that our team attended. To hear more about deterrence and the role Los Alamos plays, check out our latest National Security Science magazine at lanl.gov/magazine. This issue includes feature stor

Manhattan Project Wartime Holiday Stories; Edith Warner Christmas Letters 1943; Eleanor Jette Reflections on Los Alamos Festivities and Oppenheimer

Dec 20 2023 12 mins  
As we welcome the holiday season at Los Alamos National Laboratory, we’re taking a look back to the Manhattan Project. If you love Los Alamos history and the holidays–this podcast is for you! We will listen to holiday wartime stories of living on the Pajarito Plateau and under the leadership of J. Robert Oppenheimer, written by Edith Warner and Eleanor Jette, and read by Bradbu

Robert Wilson and Early days of Physics Division; Los Alamos R&D winners; Linda Deck reads Women Army Corps poem

Oct 30 2023 19 mins  
EPISODE FEATURE National Security Science J. Weston Phippen reads an article published in 1992 titled, “A reluctant division leader,” by the first Manhattan Project Physics division leader, Robert Wilson. Wilson talks about the early days at Los Alamos. LABCAST Ten Los Alamos projects have won innovation awards. The R&D 100 awards are considered the 'Oscars of Invention' and

Oppenheimer Talks Bohr 1964, NSRC Documentary, Macaw Eggs at Los Alamos

Oct 04 2023 18 mins  
National Security Science Writer Ian Laird narrates along with a special recording of Oppenheimer from his return to Los Alamos in 1964. He spoke to a packed audience at Los Alamos high school about Niels Bohr. LANL Los Alamos National Laboratory’s National Security Science Research Center releases a 3-part documentary on J Robert Oppenheimer. Scanning electron microscopy explore

Testing without Nuclear Yield; Nevada Episode (3 of 3)

Apr 14 2023 16 mins  
U.S nuclear weapons have played a critical role in preventing conflict among major powers since the end of World War II. Ensuring the safety and reliability of this nuclear deterrent is an essential part of national security. But, how can scientists test and evaluate the U.S. nuclear stockpile in the absence of nuclear testing? In this episode of the National Security Science podca

Nuclear Testing Moratorium, Pivot to Stockpile Stewardship; Nevada Episode (2 of 3)

Apr 14 2023 11 mins  
On September 23, 1992, the United States conducted Divider, an underground test at the Nevada Test Site, which is now called the Nevada National Security Site. The test, designed and executed by scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory, was the nation’s 1,054th and final nuclear weapons test before the current testing moratorium. Divider marked the end of an era that began wi

Nuclear Testing at Nevada; Nevada Episode (1 of 3)

Apr 14 2023 17 mins  
This episode marks the first of a three-part series on nuclear testing. Our team traveled to the Nevada National Security Site to explore the history of nuclear testing, how it started, how it ended, and what scientists are doing now. We begin the three-part series by joining the magazine’s Jill Gibson as she embarks on a ‘technical orientation visit’ to the Nevada National S