Only one atmospheric nuclear test was conducted in Area 6, and that was in 1957.

Between 1968 and mid-1990, five under ground nuclear tests were conducted at this location, two of which involved the simultaneous detonation of multiple devices in separate emplacement holes.

The Control Point complex serves as the command center, air operations center, and timing and firing center for the Yucca Flat weapons test basin, Frenchman Flat, Pahute Mesa, and surrounding areas. The NTS Control Point (CP) complex serves all NTS user organizations as a centralized point of coordination for administrative, scientific and technical matters. Augmenting facilities include a communications building, several radiological sciences and technical laboratories, a fire and first-aid station, and various maintenance and warehouse structures.

The Area 6 Construction Facilities provide craft and logistical support to activities in the forward areas of the NTS. This forward area complex replaces older construction base camps in Areas 2 and 3. Those elements comprising the Yucca Lake facilities include a variety of equipment storage facilities, a heavy- duty maintenance and equipment repair facility, and decontamination facilities.

A 3,353 m (11,000 ft) airstrip and nearby weather station also are located on the Yucca Lake bed. The Device Assembly Facility is the primary location of all nuclear explosive operations at the NTS. Nuclear explosive operations include assembly, disassembly or modification, staging, transportation, testing, maintenance, repair, retrofit, and surveillance.

The Hydrocarbon Contaminated Soils Disposal Site is an existing, state of Nevada-approved, Class III landfill. All non-Resource Conservation and Recovery Act-regulated hydrocarbon contaminated soils and materials generated on the NTS are disposed of at this landfill.

An approximately 3350-meter (11,000-foot) long airstrip and nearby weather station are located on the Yucca Dry Lake bed. Bulk storage facilities, a heavy duty maintenance and repair facility, and radiological decontamination facilities (both for personnel laundry and equipment) are also located adjacent to Yucca Dry Lake

The observation point, News Nob, which was used by news media representatives and official guests during the days of atmospheric testing in the 1950's, is in close proximity. A craggy knoll of rock just across from the Control Point has its own place in the history of the Nevada Test Site. On April 22, 1952 it was established as a good point for news reporters, photographers, and cameramen to watch and film the air drop and detonation of "Charlie" (known as Operation "Big Shot"), a 31-kiloton atmospheric test at Yucca Flat.

The original sign naming the rocky outcrop "News Nob" was a weather-beaten board with a door knob attached from an old outdoor privy. The name "News Nob" was painted in yellow. Later the board was replaced with a more conventional sign, which still stands today.

The relatively new Area 6 Construction Facilities complex provides craft support to activities in the forward areas of the test site (i.e., north of the Mercury campsite). This complex supersedes and replaces older construction base camps which were located in Areas 2 and 3.

The Device Assembly Facility (DAF) is located approximately 4.8 kilometers (3 miles) south of the Control Point complex and, when approved for full scale operations, it will serve as a modern, safe, and secure facility for assembling and/or disassembling nuclear test devices as well as nuclear weapons.

The DAF using 5 Gravel Gerties along with thick bay walls and ceilings contains about 9300 square meters (100,000 square feet) of interior floor space within a fenced compound of approximately 8.9 hectares (22 acres) and replaces and consolidates existing facilities located elsewhere on the test site.

The DAF has been structurally designed to limit explosive over-pressures and contain radioactive materials in the event of an accident. Construction began in 1988 and was completed in 1990 at which time equipment installation and related interior work commenced.