Skunkworks says: Fusion Prototype in 5 Years

[DontSayBanana]

This sentence seems odd:

It is the size of a jet engine, power airplanes, spaceships, and cities—and they say it will be operative in only 10 years.

It's based on some rosy estimations.

First, they don't actually have the working prototype- they're talking about designing, building a prototype and testing it 5 times, which they're hoping to be able to cram into a year for each phase.  From there, they're estimating another 5 years to mature the technology and miniaturize it.

If they're successful, I think the bigger deal would be the proposed ability to put a powerplant for a modern city on a truck.  Having that kind of portable power generation would be a huge deal for modernizing undeveloped environments like those in Africa, the Middle East, and the Australian outback.

[Malthus]

Anyway, is there really a *need* for a fusion-powered skunk? 

[KRonn]

Great news indeed! I'll be looking to install a small fusion reactor in my house to power everything.   

[grumbler]

This update should have gone in the Fusion Power Megathread!

Megathreads are for megamorons.