Sept. 1, 1962 - The Government said today that increased radiation in space caused by the United States’ July 9 high-altitude nuclear test was stronger than previously believed and might last for many years. A statement by the Atomic Energy Commission and the Defense Department said the radiation had knocked out transmission from three satellites. But the agencies said the radiation would not constitute a threat to manned satellites. Today’s statement, based on data from the Telstar communications satellite, is contrary to predictions made before the explosion over Johnston Island in the central Pacific concerning the impact of the test. It goes considerably beyond assessments of the radiation increase made as recently as two weeks ago.
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