This book provides for the first time an insider's view into ITER the biggest fusion reactor
in the world which is currently being constructed in southern France. Now in its second
edition it updates readers on all developments at ITER and those at competing fusion
initiatives worldwide at the National Ignition Facility (US) the Joint European Torus (EU)
and the tens of start-ups funded by private ventures. The author also shares his personal
experience with this unique big science project. Aimed at bringing the energy of the stars to
earth ITER is funded by the major economic powers (China the EU India Japan Korea Russia
and the USA). Often presented as a nuclear but green energy source fusion could play an
important role in the future electricity supply. But as delays accumulate and budgets continue
to grow ITER is currently a star partially obscured by clouds. Will ITER save humanity by
providing a clean safe and limitless source of energy or is it merely a political showcase of
cutting-edge technology? Is ITER merely an ambitious research project and partly a PR
initiative driven by some politically connected scientists? In any case ITER has already
helped spur on rival projects in the USA Canada and the UK. This book offers readers a
behind-the-scenes look at this controversial project which France snatched from Japan and
introduces them to a world of superlatives: with the largest magnets in the world the biggest
cryogenic plant and tremendous computing power ITER is one of the most fascinating and most
international scientific and technological endeavours of our time.
