ShARC Launcher Achieves Milestone: 400th Experiment at NNSS Celebrated

The ShARC Launcher at NNSS Marks a Milestone with 400th Experiment

The Nevada National Security Sites (NNSS) recently celebrated a key milestone in its scientific endeavors. On March 26, 2026, the Shock-Activated Research Collaboration (ShARC) Launcher successfully completed its 400th experiment. Watch the experiment footage and discover more about the ShARC Launcher in this video!

Located at the NNSS North Las Vegas Facility, the ShARC Launcher offers a unique platform for groundbreaking research in national security. It is a compact, modular adaptation of the JASPER two-stage gas gun, playing a crucial role in training and experimental practice. This location advantageously places it closer to researchers, unlike the main experimental sites located 90–100 miles northwest.

Researchers leverage the ShARC Launcher for diverse applications—conducting physics experiments, testing new diagnostic tools, and honing the skills of technical personnel. It is instrumental in performing preliminary “dry runs” for larger experiments at the JASPER facility, ensuring thorough preparation and improved results.

The 400th experiment showcased the ShARC Launcher’s versatility. This milestone experiment was part of a campaign that successfully validated “Hydra 2.0,” a new diagnostic tool, while simultaneously supporting a Site-Directed Research and Development feasibility study focused on improving ejecta measurements.

Continuous innovation and operation of the ShARC Launcher are vital to preserving NNSS’ state-of-the-art capabilities and fostering the growth of its technical workforce. As Senior Engineer James Majdanac puts it, “The ShARC launcher is a unique and highly adaptable platform, enabling the advancement of diagnostics and the development of skills in our workforce through dynamic operations. We’ve learned a lot from these 400 experiments, and we’re all looking forward to 400 more.”