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For ITER money has little to do with it. The problem is mostly politics. For example, take the Vacuum vessel. Currently there is only one section on-site. The
by Stevvo 6y ago
For ITER money has little to do with it. The problem is mostly politics.
For example, take the Vacuum vessel. Currently there is only one section on-site. The other sections are in various stages of completion in different countries around the world when they are due to be on-site already. Instead of one contractor manufacturing each of the nearly identical sections they are each being made in separate member countries for political reasons.
The governments involved don't have a problem with spending the money, but they want a return on that investment so they look for that return in jobs and contracts for their engineering firms.
The international collaboration isn't working. If ITER was only an EU project, it could probably be complete already.
- wiz21c 6y agoThe reasons you give look quite OK to me. As a international, huge project I can understand government who want to participate and make sure they get to understand the knowledge in the project by having firsthand experience. I'd say it's more a question on how we evaluate the fact an international organization is working or not. Is it "delivering the project's goal" or "making sure all participants get the most out of the project".
- Stevvo 6y agoThat's an interesting take on it. I expect if you posed that question to the DG he would tell you the answer is "both". He is simultaneously a scientist/engineer and a politician.
- rbanffy 6y agoITER, much like the SLS, is an industrial development program. Countries will use it to develop their own capabilities.
- willyt 6y agoExactly. You put it better than I did.