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> You might say that we’re not a certain number of years away from a working fusion power plant, but rather about $80-billion away (in worldwide funding). That
by jgh 8y ago
> You might say that we’re not a certain number of years away from a working fusion power plant, but rather about $80-billion away (in worldwide funding).
That's a surprisingly small number for the impact nuclear fusion could make. I wonder why we haven't seen any billionaires taking up the challenge, even though this might be more impactful than space tourism or people on mars.
- skybrian 8y agoFor context, that's over twice the size of the Gates Foundation. You have to compare that to all other possible investments, including energy startups that could pay off a lot sooner. Note that SpaceX is set up as a business, not a charity; Musk may talk a lot about Mars but that's not really where the money goes.
- inteleng 8y agoThe money funding SpaceX could hardly be allocated towards sustainable colonization of Mars in a more efficient manner. If you can think of one, please email Elon.
- skybrian 8y agoSure, SpaceX has good business plan. That's the point. Building rockets only for a future Mars voyage and not making any money along the way would be a bad way to do it. By contrast, fusion will only be a scientific research project for many years and many billions.