1989–1991 French nuclear tests

1989–1991
Information
CountryFrance
Test siteLagoon Area 2, Fangataufa Atoll; Lagoon, Areas 5–7, Moruroa Atoll; Rim zone, Areas 1–2, Moruroa Atoll
Period1989–1991
Number of tests21
Test typeUnderground shaft
Max. yield118 kilotonnes of TNT (490 TJ)
Test series chronology

The France's 1989–1991 nuclear test series was a group of 21 nuclear tests conducted in 1989–1991. These tests followed the 1986–1988 French nuclear tests series and preceded the 1995–1996 French nuclear tests series.

France's 1989–1991 series tests and detonations
Name Date time (UT) Local time zone Location Elevation + height Delivery,
Purpose
Device Yield Fallout References Notes
Epéios 11 May 1989 16:45:00.5 TAHT (–10 hrs)
Lagoon, Areas 5–7, Moruroa Atoll: Labre3 ~ 21°50′39″S 138°54′46″W / 21.84407°S 138.91277°W / -21.84407; -138.91277 (Epéios) 0 + underground shaft,
weapons development
16 kt
Tecmessa 20 May 1989 17:59:00 TAHT (–10 hrs)
Lagoon, Areas 5–7, Moruroa Atoll: Pieuvre5 ~ 21°49′50″S 138°52′31″W / 21.83047°S 138.87541°W / -21.83047; -138.87541 (Tecmessa) 0 + underground shaft,
weapons development
2 kt
Nyctée 3 June 1989 17:30:00.2 TAHT (–10 hrs)
Lagoon, Areas 5–7, Moruroa Atoll: janie4 ~ 21°50′58″S 138°55′52″W / 21.84957°S 138.93121°W / -21.84957; -138.93121 (Nyctée) 0 + underground shaft,
weapons development
20 kt
Cyzicos 10 June 1989 17:30:00.1 TAHT (–10 hrs)
Lagoon Area 2, Fangataufa Atoll: Natice1 22°14′40″S 138°44′03″W / 22.24438°S 138.734205°W / -22.24438; -138.734205 (Cyzicos) 0 + underground shaft,
weapons development
80 kt
Hypsipyle 24 October 1989 16:30:00.2 TAHT (–10 hrs)
Lagoon, Areas 5–7, Moruroa Atoll: Hippocampe6 ~ 21°51′20″S 138°57′02″W / 21.85566°S 138.95046°W / -21.85566; -138.95046 (Hypsipyle) 0 + underground shaft,
weapons development
24 kt
Erigone 31 October 1989 16:57:00.3 TAHT (–10 hrs)
Lagoon, Areas 5–7, Moruroa Atoll: Orque1 ~ 21°51′09″S 138°53′04″W / 21.85242°S 138.88442°W / -21.85242; -138.88442 (Erigone) 0 + underground shaft,
weapons development
20 kt
Tros 20 November 1989 17:29:00.3 TAHT (–10 hrs)
Lagoon, Areas 5–7, Moruroa Atoll: Krill7 ~ 21°50′24″S 138°55′20″W / 21.83995°S 138.92235°W / -21.83995; -138.92235 (Tros) 0 + underground shaft,
weapons development
20 kt
Daunus 25 November 1989 18:00:?? TAHT (–10 hrs)
Rim zone, Areas 1–2, Moruroa Atoll: Dora8 21°47′05″S 138°52′29″W / 21.78462°S 138.87469°W / -21.78462; -138.87469 (Daunus) 5 m (16 ft) – 280 m (920 ft) underground shaft,
safety experiment
no yield
Lycos 27 November 1989 17:00:00.0 TAHT (–10 hrs)
Lagoon Area 2, Fangataufa Atoll: Mitre2 22°14′03″S 138°44′37″W / 22.23413°S 138.74355°W / -22.23413; -138.74355 (Lycos) 0 + underground shaft,
weapons development
87 kt
Téléphe 2 June 1990 17:29:58.5 TAHT (–10 hrs)
Lagoon, Areas 5–7, Moruroa Atoll: Nerite5 ~ 21°50′39″S 138°53′39″W / 21.84422°S 138.89405°W / -21.84422; -138.89405 (Téléphe) 0 + underground shaft,
weapons development
20 kt
Mégapentes 7 June 1990 17:30:00 TAHT (–10 hrs)
Lagoon, Areas 5–7, Moruroa Atoll: Requin7 ~ 21°50′04″S 138°50′46″W / 21.83451°S 138.846°W / -21.83451; -138.846 (Mégapentes) 0 + underground shaft,
weapons development
5 kt
Cypselos 26 June 1990 17:59:58.2 TAHT (–10 hrs)
Lagoon Area 2, Fangataufa Atoll: Natice2 22°14′31″S 138°44′03″W / 22.24197°S 138.73426°W / -22.24197; -138.73426 (Cypselos) 0 + underground shaft,
weapons development
100 kt
Anticlée 4 July 1990 17:59:58.6 TAHT (–10 hrs)
Lagoon, Areas 5–7, Moruroa Atoll: Labre4 ~ 21°50′24″S 138°54′46″W / 21.83987°S 138.91277°W / -21.83987; -138.91277 (Anticlée) 0 + underground shaft,
weapons development
18 kt
Hyrtacos 14 November 1990 18:11:58.3 TAHT (–10 hrs)
Lagoon Area 2, Fangataufa Atoll: Mitre3 22°13′48″S 138°44′38″W / 22.23006°S 138.74379°W / -22.23006; -138.74379 (Hyrtacos) 0 + underground shaft,
weapons development
118 kt
Thoas 21 November 1990 16:59:58.1 TAHT (–10 hrs)
Lagoon, Areas 5–7, Moruroa Atoll: Janie5 ~ 21°50′44″S 138°55′52″W / 21.84548°S 138.93121°W / -21.84548; -138.93121 (Thoas) 0 + underground shaft,
weapons development
36 kt
Mélanippe 7 May 1991 17:00:00 TAHT (–10 hrs)
Lagoon, Areas 5–7, Moruroa Atoll: Requin8 ~ 21°49′53″S 138°50′46″W / 21.8314°S 138.846°W / -21.8314; -138.846 (Mélanippe) 0 + underground shaft,
weapons development
1 kt
Alcinos 18 May 1991 17:14:58.5 TAHT (–10 hrs)
Lagoon, Areas 5–7, Moruroa Atoll: Hippocampe7 ~ 21°51′11″S 138°57′02″W / 21.85313°S 138.95046°W / -21.85313; -138.95046 (Alcinos) 0 + underground shaft,
weapons development
20 kt
Périclyménos 29 May 1991 18:59:58.2 TAHT (–10 hrs)
Lagoon Area 2, Fangataufa Atoll: Porcelaine1 22°14′35″S 138°43′31″W / 22.24307°S 138.72516°W / -22.24307; -138.72516 (Périclyménos) 0 + underground shaft,
weapons development
106 kt
Pitthée 14 June 1991 17:59:57.8 TAHT (–10 hrs)
Lagoon, Areas 5–7, Moruroa Atoll: Orque2 ~ 21°50′54″S 138°53′04″W / 21.84826°S 138.88442°W / -21.84826; -138.88442 (Pitthée) 0 + underground shaft,
weapons development
28 kt
Coronis 5 July 1991 18:00:00 TAHT (–10 hrs)
Lagoon, Areas 5–7, Moruroa Atoll: Requin3 ~ 21°48′S 138°54′W / 21.8°S 138.9°W / -21.8; -138.9 (Coronis) 0 + underground shaft,
weapons development
300 t
Lycurgue 15 July 1991 18:09:58.3 TAHT (–10 hrs)
Lagoon, Areas 5–7, Moruroa Atoll: Isurus3 ~ 21°51′24″S 138°56′27″W / 21.85655°S 138.94077°W / -21.85655; -138.94077 (Lycurgue) 0 + underground shaft,
weapons development
34 kt