4 ms·

Do you mean that ITER could be obsolete before even reaching a production phase ?

• neltnerb 5y ago
  Absolutely, as is the case in any huge project, it takes long enough to build that at some point you have to freeze the design and technology keeps progressing. It's hard to predict which pieces of technology will mature on what timeline, and at some point you just have to start. That ITER doesn't use superconducting magnets to me means that it will definitely be "obsolete" in the sense of using the most modern technologies, but it's still going to do the job it was designed for.
  • Tuna-Fish 5y ago
    Iter uses superconducting magnets. They are the best superconducting magnets that were available when the design was finalized in 1998. Modern ones are much better.
    • neltnerb 5y ago
      Sorry, yes, you're right, I meant modern ones.
• Eelongate 5y ago
  It already is, they're still using Nb-Sn superconductors for ITER. The whole project is a manifestation of the sunk costs fallacy.
• kortex 5y ago
  Yes and no. Yes in that the technology will be stale and there will be far superior materials science, electronics, etc, by the time it is online. No, in that its principle purpose is fusion and plasma research. It'll still be able to do science.
• ncmncm 5y ago
  ITER is absolutely obsolete, in any sense requiring it to be a stop on the way to production. But it was never intended for that. ITER could, if ever completed, provide a wealth of research results on plasma confinement. But only that. And, it is likely to be too late to the party.