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Conference Spotlight
2025 ANS Winter Conference & Expo
November 8–12, 2025
Washington, DC|Washington Hilton
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The Standards Committee is responsible for the development and maintenance of voluntary consensus standards that address the design, analysis, and operation of components, systems, and facilities related to the application of nuclear science and technology. Find out What’s New, check out the Standards Store, or Get Involved today!
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Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
Nuclear News 40 under 40: The wait is over
Following the enthusiastic response from the nuclear community in 2024 for the inaugural NN 40 under 40, the Nuclear News team knew we had to take up the difficult task in 2025 of turning it into a recurring annual issue—though there was plenty of uncertainty as to how the community would receive a second iteration this year. That uncertainty was unfounded, clearly, as the tight-knit nuclear community embraced the chance to celebrate the up-and-coming generation of scientists, engineers, and policy makers who are working to grow the influence of this oft misunderstood technology.
Norman R. Schulze
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 25 | Number 2 | March 1994 | Pages 182-197
Technical Paper | Fusion Reactor | doi.org/10.13182/FST94-A30267
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Space-unique fusion engine and flight system design parameters and operational principles permitting the use of fusion energy for space power and propulsion are presented. Solutions that meet those design parameters and operational principles are appropriately addressed during investigations and research on confinement designs for D-3He reactions. Once acceptable solutions have been found, space will then be an alternate customer for fusion energy. Key mission parameters are defined for consideration as advancements occur in design and testing of new confinement concepts. Power levels, thrust, firing duration, and mission quality aspects are presented. The importance of research on maintaining stability during burning while removing plasma for propulsion is considered a significant issue in making magnetic fusion reactors practical for space propulsion. Burning efficiency is important for long-duration missions. Space operation of a fusion reactor offers relief from the vacuum constraint that ground systems are required to meet, but space vehicles are mass sensitive, requiring the use of a fuel such as D-3He that produces charged particles as ash and requiring the use of compact reactors.