Canon

Fusion reactor: Difference between revisions

From Halopedia, the Halo wiki

No edit summary
m (Text replacement - "\|(right|thumb)(\|[^\]\n]+)?\|(right|thumb)" to "|thumb$2")
 
(47 intermediate revisions by 26 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Ratings}}
{{Status|Canon}}
A '''fusion reactor''' is a type of nuclear power plant that uses [[nuclear fusion]] for power generation.


==Usage==
[[File:HTfS reactor.png|thumb|400px|A ground-site fusion reactor.]]
[[Human|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 [[UNSC reactor|groundside bases]]. Fusion reactors powered by [[deuterium]] reactions are used as a power source on UNSC [[warship]]s. 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.<ref>'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''', campaign level, ''[[The Maw]]''</ref><ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 275''</ref>  Fusion power also provided the necessary energy to run FTL propulsion systems.


A deuterium fusion core is a species of nuclear fusion reactor used as a power source on [[UNSC Frigate|UNSC frigates]]. Though not explicitly stated, it may also be used to power other kinds of spacecraft, and may be related to the oft-seen [[fusion core]].
The UNSC has also mastered fusion reactor technology on a remarkably small scale, as demonstrated by the miniature fusion plants mounted on the [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor|MJOLNIR armor]].<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 45''</ref> Despite their size, these reactors are extremely efficient; the microfusion plant of the [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark IV|MJOLNIR Mark IV]] was capable of providing power for 15 years of continuous operation,<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 140''</ref> and could almost instantly recharge the depleted energy cells of a [[D77-TC Pelican]]. [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor (GEN2)|[GEN2] Mjolnir armor]] are equipped with a compact fusion reactor installed in the back of the armor's torso carapace.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/the-halo-bulletin-knowledge-drop '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Halo Bulletin 9.24.14'']</ref> The [[UNSC Army]] and [[UNSC Air Force|Air Force]] units utilize air-transportable fusion reactor [[generators]], like the [[MEP-PU-2550D/E Generator]], to meet their mobile power requirements.<ref name="Spartan Games">[http://www.spartangames.co.uk/make-your-halo-table-look-awesome '''Spartan Games''': ''Make your Halo table look awesome!'']</ref> Manufacture of these small-scale fusion reactors requires the use of [[xenotime]], a critical ore.{{Ref/Novel|Id=HO1|Oblv|Chapter=1}}


Based on the name, a deuterium fusion core probably combines [[deuterium]] nuclei (a light hydrogen isotope) into heavier elements, accompanied by a net gain of energy. Deuterium may be fused with itself, or with tritium, another hydrogen isotope. This latter reaction is the easiest to initiate.
The [[Covenant]] employ another type of fusion power plant, known as the [[pinch fusion reactor]], to power their starships and other machines.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 305''</ref>


Since they have not been seen on screen, it is not possible to meaningfully speculate on the technique a deuterium core uses to induce fusion. However, a UNSC frigate is powered by just two of these devices, so it could be deduced that they are not easily portable.
==Trivia==
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 [[wikipedia:Tokamak|tokamaks]], [[wikipedia:Polywell|polywells]] and laser-driven [[Wikipedia:Inertial confinement fusion|inertial confinement fusion]]. In 2014, Lockheed Martin introduced the [[Wikipedia:compact fusion reactor|Compact Fusion reactor]] which promises to be an economical means of electrical generation.


Real-world fusion reactors currently require more power than they release, so are not yet an economical means of electricity generation. Promising approaches include donut-shaped [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokamak tokamaks], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polywell Polywells] and laser-driven [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inertial_confinement_fusion inertial confinement fusion] (ICF).
==List of appearances==
[[Category:Technology]]
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'' {{1st}}
[[Category:UNSC]]
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''
**''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo: The Flood]]''
*''[[Halo: First Strike]]''
*''[[Halo 2]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''
*''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''
*''[[Halo Wars]]''
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: Tales from Slipspace]]''
**''[[On the Brink]]''
*''[[Halo: Ground Command]]''
*''[[Halo Wars 2]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Renegades]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Oblivion]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Shadows of Reach]]''
 
==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}
 
[[Category:Power generation]]

Latest revision as of 11:52, April 12, 2023

A fusion reactor is a type of nuclear power plant that uses nuclear fusion for power generation.

Usage[edit]

A ground-site fusion reactor.

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] and could almost instantly recharge the depleted energy cells of a D77-TC Pelican. [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] Manufacture of these small-scale fusion reactors requires the use of xenotime, a critical ore.[7]

The Covenant employ another type of fusion power plant, known as the pinch fusion reactor, to power their starships and other machines.[8]

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]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ Halo: Combat Evolved, campaign level, The Maw
  2. ^ Halo: First Strike, page 275
  3. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 45
  4. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 140
  5. ^ Halo Waypoint: Halo Bulletin 9.24.14
  6. ^ Spartan Games: Make your Halo table look awesome!
  7. ^ Halo: Oblivion, chapter 1
  8. ^ Halo: First Strike, page 305
Retrieved from "https://www.halopedia.org/index.php?title=Fusion_reactor&oldid=1574702"