Unicorn, a subcritical experiment, was successfully conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Nevada Test Site.

Los Alamos National Laboratory conducted the experiment to gather scientific data that provides crucial information to maintain the safety and reliability of the nation's nuclear weapons without having to conduct underground nuclear tests, the test site reported.

The experiments are subcritical, which means no critical mass is formed and no self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction can occur. Thus, there is no nuclear explosion.

Unicorn was the 23rd subcritical experiment to date. The previous subcritical experiment, Krakatau, was conducted Feb. 23.

Subcritical experiments examine the behavior of plutonium as it is strongly shocked by forces produced by chemical high explosives. Subcritical experiments produce essential scientific data and technical information used to help maintain the safety and reliability of the nuclear weapons stockpile.