Which significant scientific advancement did New Mexico contribute to during the Cold War?

New Mexico's significant contribution to scientific advancements during the Cold War primarily centers around the testing of the atomic bomb. The development and testing of nuclear weapons in the state, particularly at the White Sands Proving Ground and Los Alamos National Laboratory, represented a pivotal moment not just for New Mexico, but for the entire United States and its military strategy during that era. The first atomic bomb was detonated on July 16, 1945, at the Trinity Test Site in New Mexico, marking a monumental achievement in both science and military capabilities. This event not only hastened the end of World War II but also established New Mexico as a key player in the ongoing Cold War arms race and nuclear research, shaping national policy and global relations in the years that followed.