Explosive ‘Star Wars’ Test Planned in Desert
The Air Force plans to explode components of an ICBM in a “Star Wars” test at Edwards Air Force Base sometime in the next six weeks, loosing a cloud of toxic rocket fuel in the Mojave Desert.
But Air Force officials who announced the test Thursday said it will produce a “toxic plume” that will remain within the base’s boundaries and cause “no significant impact” to people or the environment.
Base spokesman Dennis Shoffner said the two fuel components involved--hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide--dissipate rapidly and do not cause widespread contamination.
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