A successful deuterium–tritium fusion test taking their reactor to full power for 10-seconds. The video notes that this experiment paves the way for Helium 3 fusion, a reaction that would fuse deuterium and helium-3 to produce energy, helium-4, and a proton. This 2022 article, "Helium‑3 from the lunar surface for nuclear fusion?" explains:
Since 1969, the return of a human mission to the Moon has never seemed so close. Although scientific interest continued to flourish, space programmes had for many decades abandoned it in favour of the International Space Station and missions to explore the solar system. Dominated by the growing competition between the United States and China, the return to the Moon is now motivated by a desire to study and possibly exploit resources that can be found there.
Of these, helium‑3 represents the most significant potential in the field of energy. This non-radioactive isotope is an ideal fuel for the operation of a fusion reactor; it consists of fusing helium‑3 with deuterium, with the advantage of not producing neutrons. Whilst it is still in its experimental stages, the ability to contain such energy in the reactor’s containment chamber could make it a viable energy source.
The fact that Helium 3 is abundant on the lunar surface may have as much to do with Space X shifting its attention to establishing a lunar colony over Mars as any other considerations. One company claims there is enough 3 He on the Moon to power the Earth for 10,000 years.
VIDEO: "Helion hits new fusion milestone: D-T fusion and 150M°C plasma temperatures"
Helion (6 min.)
No comments:
Post a Comment