Nuke the Moon: Project A119

Nuke the Moon: Project A119

From Everything Everywhere Daily: History, Science, Geography & More by Gary Arndt

June 11, 2026 · 15 min · Episode 2166

About this episode

This episode discusses Project A119, a plan by the United States to detonate a nuclear weapon on the Moon during the Cold War.

Tell me your favorite episode for the 6th anniversary show! At the height of the Cold War, the United States considered a plan so audacious that it sounds like science fiction: detonating a nuclear weapon on the Moon. Known as Project A119, it was born from fear, prestige, and the urgent need to answer the Soviet Union’s early lead in space. The plan was real, the scientists involved were some of the most noteworthy of the 20th century, and the implications were enormous. Learn more about Project A119 and the quest to nuke the Moon on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily. Sponsors ButcherBox Get your choice between chicken breast or top sirloin for a year OR ground beef for life, PLUS $20 off when you go to ButcherBox.com/everything Quince Go to quince.com/daily for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order! Mint Mobile Save 50% on Unlimited premium wireless plans starting at $15/month at MintMobile.com/EED TrueWerk Get 15% off your first order at truewerk.com with code everything DripDrop Go to dripdrop.com and use promo code everything for 20% off your first order! Subscribe to the podcast! https://everything-everywhere.com/everything-everywhere-daily-podcast/…

People in this episode

Host: Gary Arndt

Topics covered

  • nuclear weapons
  • space exploration
  • Cold War
  • Project A119
  • science fiction
  • history

Keywords

  • nuclear weapon
  • Moon
  • Project A119
  • Cold War
  • space race
  • Soviet Union
  • science

Sponsors

ButcherBox, Quince, Mint Mobile, TrueWerk, DripDrop

Mentioned in this episode

Places: United States, Soviet Union

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