A series of tests were performed in late March of 1975, to investigate the effects of high power, CW, C02 laser radiation on oil shale. These tests were performed gratis for the Laramie Division of ERDA, to provide some zero order data on the nature of the penetration and fracture behavior of oil shale material, from the Rifle, Colorado region. The tests were conducted on the Army Tri-Service Laser Test Range at the Army Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. A sample of shale nominally 12" X 24" X 30" was situated at a range or 60 meters from the laser device. A total of eight tests was performed. The conditions obtaining during these tests are summarized in the Table.