What Was Operation Sandblast, the First Submarine Circumnavigation of the Globe?

In 1960, the U.S. Navy’s nuclear-powered USS Triton completed a submerged voyage equivalent to a circumnavigation of the globe without surfacing.

The mission, known as Operation Sandblast, lasted about 60 days and demonstrated the endurance of nuclear submarines on extended deployments.

During the voyage, the crew also carried out ocean observations and seabed surveys, showing the dual military and scientific value of the mission.

Triton’s success marked a Cold War turning point, proving that nuclear propulsion and streamlined hull design could transform submarine strategy.