Lockheed Compact Fusion

[LethalDose]

So Skunkworks has gone public with some information about their compact fusion reactor, that they are hoping to have on-line in 20 years. Link here. They described the containment system as a "High Beta" concept, using intense magnetic fields to isolate the plasma in a much smaller size than Tokamaks. The also cite the smaller scale of the reactor as an important factor to shorten development cycles (smaller reactors can be built and revised more quickly than large ones).

Personally, I'm not clear on why other labs haven't tried to reduce the scale of the reactors in this same way if it's so effective. Personally, I've always thought the future of fusion was going to be in IEC reactors, and actually thought these reactors were scaled up IECs. Ends up I was wrong, and they definitely use magnetism to control plasma.

What are the community's thoughts on this?

[xenomorph555]

To be honest their hyping up something which, for one will not be ready in 10 years and two is not some holy fire technique that will save everyone.

[PakledHostage]

What are the community's thoughts on this?

I can't speak for the community but you could have a look at this link: http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/96902-Lockheed-claims-breakthrough-on-fusion-energy-project