Lockheed says makes breakthrough on fusion energy project

Reuters ^ | 3 hours ago | Andrea Shalal

[apillar]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Lockheed Martin Corp said on Wednesday it had made a technological breakthrough in developing a power source based on nuclear fusion, and the first reactors, small enough to fit on the back of a truck, could be ready for use in a decade.

Initial work demonstrated the feasibility of building a 100-megawatt reactor measuring seven feet by 10 feet, which could fit on the back of a large truck, and is about 10 times smaller than current reactors, McGuire told reporters.

In a statement, the company, the Pentagon's largest supplier, said it would build and test a compact fusion reactor in less than a year, and build a prototype in five years.

[apillar]

Wait a minute! Hold the phone! Do they seriously mean a FUSION reactor or is the reporter confusing it with a minaturized fission reactor? Because if they seriously have invented a small working fusion reactor that would be the biggest science news in 100 years as the most optimistic experts say a fusion reactor that produces more energy than it consumes is still about 50 years away.

[Doctor 2Brains]

for later

[Paladin2]

....a 100-megawatt reactor measuring seven feet by 10 feet, which could fit on the back of a large truck,...

A 0.50 laser would be a good thing to have should Zombies apocalypse.

[RinaseaofDs]

I went out to the story and read it. Not a typo.

They said ‘compact FUSION reactor’ uses deuterium-tritium - for now. This one will produce some waste. Future ones using hydrogen won’t.

[illiac]

A reactor on the back of trucks....

What could possibly go wrong?

[BlueStateRightist]

This would be huge if true. As in, “change the world” huge. Something tells me the environmentalists/leftists would lobby for its outlaw. For no rational reason except the word “nuclear” is a part of the technology.

[tet68]

10 times smaller than current reactors

I wasn’t aware that there WERE any current Fusion
reactors....????

[Lee'sGhost]

No shi’ite!

[Zuben Elgenubi]

A reactor on the back of trucks.... What could possibly go wrong?

Don't station any in Benghazi.

[tet68]

Actually and current WORKING Fusion reactors...

[redgolum]

If true (and I remain suspicious of the reporting), then this will change the world.

Or be banned.

[zencycler]

No, it really is fusion ... here’s the press release straight from the source:

http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/news/press-releases/2014/october/141015ae_lockheed-martin-pursuing-compact-nucelar-fusion.html

[blam]

I’ve been hearing that they’ll be in use in ten years for fifty years now.

[quietly desperate]

It’s not April 1, is it?

[M Kehoe]

Bttt.

5.56mm

[Cboldt]

Lots of articles if you gooogle lockheed fusion. I would say they mean fusion, not a Reuters typo.

[smokingfrog]

[alancarp]

"...which could fit on the back of a large truck..."

Advantage: the Deep South, across to Texas.

[ConservingFreedom]

If true, it's another triumph for the profit motive.