![]() ![]() ![]() There's no doubt in Gilster's mind that fusion can be managed for space exploration purposes, but he suspects that's still more than a few decades in the future. But as to space exploration, we then have to consider how to reduce working fusion into something that can fit the size and weight constraints of a spacecraft," said Gilster. "Where we go as this evolves, and this seems to be several decades away, is toward actual fusion power plants here on Earth. Building upon the notable breakthrough is going to take time, he said. It's a necessary precursor toward getting fusion into the game as a source of power," Gilster told. "Naturally I celebrate the NIF's accomplishment of producing more energy than was initially put into the fusion experiment. Similar in thought is Paul Gilster, writer/editor of the informative Centauri Dreams website. (Image credit: Elle Starkman, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory Office of Communications) Necessary precursor Physicist Fatima Ebrahimi in front of an artistic rendering of a fusion rocket. "Heavy components for space applications are not favorable," she said. By using more electromagnets and more magnetic fields, Ebrahimi envisions the ability to create, in effect, a knob-turning way to fine-tune velocity.Īs for the NIF victory impacting space exploration, Ebrahimi said for space applications, compact fusion concepts are still needed. It's when magnetic field lines converge, suddenly separate, and then join together again, producing loads of energy. The idea is to accelerate particles using "magnetic reconnection," a process found throughout the universe, including the surface of the sun. The work involves a new concept for a rocket thruster, one that exploits the mechanism behind solar flares. However, engineering innovations are still requisite for NIF to be commercially viable as a fusion reactor, she added.Įbrahimi is studying how best to propel humans at greater speeds out to Mars and beyond. "Any data points obtained showing fusion energy science achievement is fantastic! Fusion energy gain of greater than one is quite an achievement," Ebrahimi said. ![]() Department of Energy's (DOE) Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory in New Jersey.Įbrahimi said the NIF success is extraordinary. The fusion breakthrough is welcomed and exciting news for physicist Fatima Ebrahimi at the U.S. ![]()
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