Polywell Fusion Funded (For Real, This Time)?
Dave Price
M Simon at Power and Control has the scoop, as usual. There is apparently confirmation from Dr. Bussard that the Navy is going to pick up his original contract and re-fund his efforts to produce a WB-7 demo model — and if the results are as expected, a full-scale power plant (approx $100-$200M), which is more than we'd dared hope. Confirmation and further details should follow shortly.
Tom Ligon says Bussard credits the grassroots campaign among bloggers, so thanks to everyone who followed this.
So now the race with Tri-Alpha to a working net-power IEC fusion machine (and perhaps a new era for humanity) begins. Should be a very exciting next few years.
Exciting days to be sure!
It looks like civilization may continue for another thousand years.
BTW after power plants on Earth, space.
I mean, those are almost space elevator numbers. We're talking about being able to establish permanent bases all over the Solar System -- maybe even tourism.
It would be so uber-cool if so I can't even express it.
This may just be the next to do so.
Don't want my hopes to be dashed. :-\
You'd have a lot of re-training, from what I understand. First, you'd have to go back and learn vacuum-tube physics, which is pretty esoteric these days.
One of Bussard's main complaints is that it's so hard to find anyone who knows this stuff who's not in their 70s or 80s.
Of course we all lose our tempers now and then. Dean freely admits to being imperfect in this regard, which is why regulars to this establishment will generally be cut more slack than people who we don't know very well.
Still: behave like an adult, or go find somewhere else to play. Thanks.