10 Frickin’ Amazing Facts about the ITER Fusion Reactor

10 Frickin' Amazing Facts about the ITER Fusion Reactor
10 Frickin' Amazing Facts about the ITER Fusion Reactor

10 Frickin’ Amazing Facts about the ITER Fusion Reactor

The sun lies at the heart of our solar system and is one of the largest and most influential objects in space. Unlike the light we see that comes from a light bulb, the sun produces its energy and light. It creates this energy through a process called nuclear fusion, where two atoms of hydrogen combine to form one, larger atom of helium. When this happens, energy is produced as both light and heat. That’s why when the sun is shining, we can see its bright light and feel its heat

from a million miles away. What if we were able to employ the energy from the sun to provide thousands of cities throughout the world with a cleaner and more sustainable form of energy? Although it sounds far-fetched, it is something that 35 different countries are currently trying to do in Southern France.

The ITER Fusion Reactor, or International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, is a multi-billion-dollar project that is looking to tap into the sun’s power on a greater level than ever before. Compared to some of the most common energy sources that we use around the world today, nuclear energy is much cleaner than oil, coal, or natural gas. While nuclear fission reactors produce toxic residue, nuclear fusion generates waste that is non-radioactive and that can be recycled seamlessly in less than a century. In addition, compared to traditional reactors, nuclear fusion doesn’t pose the same risk with regards to nuclear meltdown and dysfunction. Since nuclear fusion reactors can run off of water from the sea, they offer a clean and renewable source of energy unlike any that the world has seen up until this point in time. Here are ten amazing facts about the ITER Fusion Reactor that will transform your thoughts on how we power our world.

10ITER Tops Fusion Power Production

Iter is making fusion happen!

9ITER is the First of Its Kind to Maintain Energy for Long Periods of Time

Iter is harnessing the power of the sun!

8ITER is Being Developed by More than 35 Different Countries

Iter requires massive cooperation of nations.

7ITER Will Demonstrate How Feasible it is Produce Tritium

Precious Tritium

6ITER was Licensed as a Nuclear Operator in France in 2012

Nuclear. But not this kind.

5The ITER Project is an Architectural Masterpiece

Iter will be a masterpiece of design when finished. Photo Credit

4ITER Transportation is Impressive

Transporting Iter’s building blocks is a humongous endeavor! Photo Credit.

3The ITER Machine will Require 1.5 Million Hours of Man-Power to Assemble

We’re gonna need some help over here!

2The ITER will Contain More than One Million Components

Lots of moving parts. Photo Credit.

1Visits to ITER Can Be Arranged Year Round

Bring your camera!