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The Computer Designed To Die In Microseconds

Why it was recommended

Politely, this computer exists because the DoE performs stockpile stewardship. Less politely, it exists because of The Bombs. Everything else it will do is a hobby. It is specifically designed for whatever compute needs their classified program has. [LINK] [LINK] All of this capital is being spent because the test ban treaty prohibits the detonation of these weapons, but the US stockpile and its efficacy must be maintained and new weapons must be designed. So how do you know if an old weapon or a new design will work or not? Some part of the answer is real data + simulations. Lots and lots of simulations. It's why Frontier exists and why the DoE has pursued exascale compute for quite some time. (as for the real data part, it's why places like the National Ignition Factory exist, and why there's an active experimental program that exists to study dummy warheads in unexpected ways, [VIDEO] )

Referenceareoform · Original

What it covers

Scott Manley tells the story of a computerized telemetry system built to sit at the heart of a nuclear test device in place of the plutonium pit, designed to transmit data in. It is for a general viewer who does not plan to take a prerequisite first.

Video details

Channel
Scott Manley
Length
14 min 3 sec
Year
2023
Open on YouTube

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