Is Fusion Energy Close To Becoming A Reality?

Lockheed Martin claims to have a fusion reactor built in the next 5 years. How would this technology work, and what would this mean for the world? Trace explains.


Read More:
Lockheed Martin’s Plan to Make Fusion (Finally) a Reality
“Lockheed Martin's secret fusion power program came out of hiding last week. This week, the Skunk Works engineer in charge of the ambitious effort met with reporters to explain just how the defense giant plans to make fusion the real deal within five to 10 years.”

Lockheed Martin’s fusion goals meet scepticism
“Lockheed Martin formally entered the nuclear-fusion arena on 15 October, laying out a 10-year roadmap to commercialize a reactor that would fit on the back of a lorry.”

Mr. Fusion? Compact Fusion Reactor Will be Available in 5 Years Says Lockheed-Martin
“The Farnsworth Fusor; Pons and Fleishmann. It seems the trail to fusion energy has long gone cold — stone cold, that is, and not cold as in cold fusion.”

Does Lockheed Martin Really Have a Breakthrough Fusion Machine?
“Lockheed Martin’s announcement last week that it had secretly developed a promising design for a compact nuclear fusion reactor has met with excitement but also skepticism over the basic feasibility of its approach.”

Compact Fusion
“It’s no secret that our Skunk Works® team often finds itself on the cutting edge of technology.”

Harnessing the Energy of Nuclear Fusion Reactions with Superconductors and Lasers
“What do a six-ton superconductor and the world's largest laser have in common? Both are fundamental components in two very different approaches to harnessing the energy of nuclear fusion reactions.”

Skunk Works
“Skunk Works is an official alias for Lockheed Martin's Advanced Development Programs (ADP), formerly called Lockheed Advanced Development Projects.”

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[rekalty]

Haven't we been 20 years away from Fusion, for the last 60 years?... It's always just 20 years away!
Anyhow, Long live the NCR!

[ReaperEOD]

10/10 on that Starcraft reference, seriously. I'm proud.

[rlamacraft]

Trace didn't even mention the biggest benefit, with cheap and plentiful energy it will be more financial viable to produce drinking water from sea water - Israel already do it as do some of the rather richer Middle Eastern states but it could potentially be a solution to the otherwise inevitable wars over water in the second half of this century.

[ultravidz]

I'll never understand these predictions..

If they already have it all figured out, why 20 years? Why not 5 years?
And if they DON'T have it all figured out yet, how can they possibly predict when they WILL?

[pinkusensei]

I'm a Californian living in Michigan.  I want Trace's shirt!

[DaManBearPig]

I'm double majoring in plasma physics and engineering with minor in business. I hope to one day create my own fusion business and help reverse climate change.

[TheSlayerofevil]

I have a bad feeling that the coal companies with all of their lobbying power in the US will stem this from happening because of fear of them becoming obsolete.

[lightsidemaster]

1st: Thank you for changing the subaru advert
2nd: Looking forward to nuclear fusion energy
3rd: Did you just quote from the Protoss? lol how cool.

[TopShotst]

"you must construct additional pylons!!"...lol, probably 95% of the people who watched this video don't know what Starcraft is... but for that you made me smile. Thanks trace. XD

[Stingray]

This is probably the best news I've heard in ten years

[petersz]

In 20 years time we will still be 20 years away from being able to use this method!

[sergeantdoomkin]

dat SC2 reference doh! :) dat earned him a like

[BloodWraith]

Still waiting for madly efficient arc reactors.

[LunaNatsume]

Trace... that StarCraft reference just earned you about 30 additional cool points in my book. Nice... very nice!

[shawnchristopher]

This is awesome, it really is. But it won't be utilized because of the fact that the oil and gas industry has deeper pockets, a lot more lawyers, and lobbyist in government. It will be suppressed, and regulated to the point that it isn't utilized for decades, or at least until the oil and gas industry can get their slice of it. It sucks, but money determines all on this planet at this point in time. 

[kevinlane]

Honestly, I would invest in a Fusion Reactor simply to convert hydrogen into helium and produce lifting gas for dirigibles and zeppelins because I have a soft spot for them. Also, I like how informative some of your videos are regarding alternative energy. Please keep up the good work.

[damiandearmas]

so, it will be available for energy production in 20 years, they'll have fusion bombs in less than 10.

[gs]

That Protoss reference just boosted you to ultra awesome status in my book. :)

[MrNojamu]

@NickSmith
That's what they said 70 years ago with the computer.

[thesunofodin]

I love you for the Starcraft reference.