| Summary: | Thesis: S.B., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering, February 2015. === Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. "February 2015." === Includes bibliographical references (pages 46-47). === Fusion has been "forty years away", that is, forty years to implementation, ever since the idea of harnessing energy from a fusion reactor was conceived in the 1950s. In reality, however, it has yet to become a viable energy source. Fusion's promise and failure are both investigated by reviewing the history of the United States domestic fusion program and comparing technological forecasting by fusion scientists, fusion program budget plans, and fusion program budget history. It is evident that delays in progress were due to both technologic and economic setbacks. In order for the US to become a leader in fusion energy, it must continue supporting domestic fusion experiments while maintaining involvement in ITER. === by Lauren A. Merriman. === S.B.
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