Project A119: The Secret U.S. Plan to Nuke the Moon

Jane Francis

PHOTO BY BRUNOSCRAMGNON ON PEXELS

Project A119 was a top-secret U.S. Air Force plan from the late 1950s to detonate a nuclear bomb on the Moon. The goal was to showcase American technological power during the Cold War and intimidate the Soviet Union.

Though it never happened, the idea of nuking the Moon sounds like a sci-fi plot, but it was very real and highly classified. The project sheds light on how far leaders were willing to go in the space race.

Nukes For Show: A Cold War Spectacle

Project A119 was a secret U.S. plan to detonate a nuclear bomb on the Moon. The goal wasn’t military—it was symbolic and aimed at global impact.

Leaders hoped the explosion would be visible from Earth, boosting public morale and demonstrating strength during the early Space Race. A similar Soviet effort, Project E-4, was also in development at the time.

The post below explains how scientific goals blended with showmanship:

A Moon landing, however, proved a more lasting message.

Behind The Curtain: Scientists And Secrets

Project A119 brought together top scientists to study the feasibility of detonating a nuclear bomb on the Moon. Their goal was to calculate visibility from Earth and understand lunar impact effects.

Led by physicist Leonard Reiffel, the team analyzed bomb yields, lunar dust behavior, and political risks. Most details stayed classified for decades.

The video below explores the scientists’ roles and the secrecy that defined the mission:

A Giant Leap… Scrapped

Project A119 was a secret U.S. Air Force plan to detonate a nuclear bomb on the Moon. The aim was to display American technological superiority during the Cold War.

Scientists raised concerns about radioactive debris, international reaction, and risks to future missions. These issues led to the plan’s cancellation in 1959.

The following post brings up a more speculative view:

It includes testimony claiming that an extraterrestrial presence may have stopped the test—reflecting the mystery still tied to this project.

Jane Francis, at the dynamic age of 40, ingeniously combines her roles as a travel journalist, gourmet chef, and doting single mother. Her insatiable curiosity and passion for exploration are reflected in her vivid writing and global culinary influences. A lover of authenticity, Jane creates memorable experiences, turning her journeys into a symphony of flavors and stories.