Will we have a nuclear fusion reactor prototype in five years and a production version in ten years? Laugh if you wish, but listen up. One of the most credible publications in our industry, Aviation Week & Space Technology (AW&ST), is reporting that the folks at Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works believe they can do it. Damned if I’d bet against them!
The end result could be small enough to use in many places, maybe even including large airplanes. The fusion reactor will be free of the meltdown risks of nuclear fission. Nuclear fission leaves wastes that stay radioactive forever. Nuclear fusion promises smaller amounts of waste that will be completely non-radioactive in about 100 years. Furthermore, Lockheed Martin has hopes that it might end world fuel crises for the foreseeable future.
Fuel for the fusion reactor is cheap and plentiful.
It has been said for years—decades—that nuclear fusion is expected in 20 years and always will be. I got that from AVSIG (Aviation Special Interest Group), the online aviation forum.
I studied the article in AW&ST carefully, and will be the first to tell you that I don’t understand the details at all. The expected benefits, however, are easily understood and will be a boon to humanity if the Skunk Works get it done.
About the Author
Ralph Hood
Certified Speaking Professional
Ralph Hood is a Certified Speaking Professional who has addressed aviation groups throughout North America. A pilot since 1969, he's insured and sold airplanes at retail and distributor levels and taught aviation management for Southern Illinois University.
Ralph Hood is also an award-winning columnist (he writes for several publications), a salesman and sales manager (he sold airplanes, for crying out loud!), a teacher (he taught college-level aviation management) and a professional public speaker who has entertained and enlightened audiences from Hawaii to Spain, and from Fairbanks to Puerto Rico.
- Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), National Speakers Association
- Past member, National Ethics Committee, National Speakers Association
- Past president of Alabama Speakers Association
- Member, Alabama Aviation Hall of Fame
- Past National Marketing Mentor, AOPA Project Pilot