Fusion reactor
A fusion reactor is a type of nuclear power plant that uses nuclear fusion for power generation. ContentsUsage[edit]Humanity's yearning to explore and colonize space required significant energy requirements to power the machinery to industrialize and traverse interstellar space. Fusion power provided the energies to power humanity into a spacefaring civilization. The United Nations Space Command utilizes nuclear fusion reactors to a great degree, from spacecraft to groundside bases. Fusion reactors powered by deuterium reactions are used as a power source on UNSC warships. The reactor makes up the main component of a ship's primary propulsion system, known as a fusion drive, which uses vectored drive exhaust of fusion byproducts to provide thrust.[1][2] Fusion power also provided the necessary energy to run FTL propulsion systems. The UNSC has also mastered fusion reactor technology on a remarkably small scale, as demonstrated by the miniature fusion plants mounted on the MJOLNIR armor.[3] Despite their size, these reactors are extremely efficient; the microfusion plant of the MJOLNIR Mark IV was capable of providing power for 15 years of continuous operation.[4] [GEN2] Mjolnir armor are equipped with a compact fusion reactor installed in the back of the armor's torso carapace.[5] The UNSC Army and Air Force units utilize air-transportable fusion reactor generators, like the MEP-PU-2550D/E Generator, to meet their mobile power requirements.[6] The Covenant employ another type of fusion power plant, known as the pinch fusion reactor, to power their starships and other machines.[7] Trivia[edit]Real-world fusion reactors currently require more power than they release, so are not yet an economical means of electricity generation. Promising approaches include doughnut-shaped tokamaks, polywells and laser-driven inertial confinement fusion. In 2014, Lockheed Martin introduced the Compact Fusion reactor which promises to be an economical means of electrical generation. List of appearances[edit]
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