So much work has gone into researching fusion because its fuel source--hydrogen--can be extracted from water. At least right now, water's everywhere. Uranium and thorium and any of the heavy elements for fission still have to be pulled from the ground in pretty limited areas--if those areas become politically volatile, are we any better off than using oil?
Fission reactors are better right now than burning hydrocarbons. But fusion is still worth researching.
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So much work has gone into researching fusion because its fuel source--hydrogen--can be extracted from water. At least right now, water's everywhere. Uranium and thorium and any of the heavy elements for fission still have to be pulled from the ground in pretty limited areas--if those areas become politically volatile, are we any better off than using oil?
Fission reactors are better right now than burning hydrocarbons. But fusion is still worth researching.