602 



the degree of the conunitinent differs. It is not possible, however, to 

 proceed forthwith toward the objective of widespread availability of 

 fusion energy in the same way one might proceed directly toward the 

 design, construction, and deployment of a new aircraft. The reason is 

 that much of the necessary science and technology has yet to be 

 developed. (See Conn, 1983.) 



The technical path to fusion requires showing its scientific 

 feasibility through convincing theory and substantiating experiments 

 that the laws of nature will allow more energy to be produced from the 

 plasma than is necessary to supply to it to induce the fusion 

 reactions. Next, engineering feasibiity must be established through 

 the choice of a suitable design concept for a reactor and the 

 development of advanced technologies necessary for the production and 

 extraction of useful amounts of power. In actuality, significant 

 overlap exists between the two feasibility conditions, so that the 

 terms are really more useful as simplifying concepts than as distinct 

 developmental stages. A demonstration of power production on a 

 commercial scale will probably be considered necessary to convince 

 users that some form of commercialization is possible. Finally, 

 attainment of economic viability in comparison with alternate 

 technologies for generation of power will be required. Currently, 

 investigations are at the stage where scientific feasibility is 

 expected to be shown within a few years. 



The strength of the commitment to fusion energy in the several 

 world programs varies because of varied national circumstances. 

 Japan, for example, has few indigenous energy sources and has decided 

 to explore both fusion energy and fission breeder reactors to meet its 

 forseeable needs. The EC must similarly explore alternative 

 technologies, although its energy needs are neither so immediate nor 

 so acute as those of Japan. The United States, currently enjoying 

 greater reserves of coal and uranium, probaDly feels the least urgency 

 about fusion. The USSR has its own objectives for a substantial 

 program in magnetic fusion energy. This report is concerned with the 

 programs of the EC and Japan as the most likely candidates for 

 cooperation, and it has comparatively little to say about the USSR 

 program. 



The four world programs are certainly competitive in the technical 

 sense with both implicit and explicit rivalry for technical 

 accomplishment. The current stakes are the natural ones of 

 professional recognition and national accomplishment. There seem to 

 be no prominent overtones of any national race to arrive first at some 

 sharply defined fusion goal, such as there was with respect to a moon 

 landing or such as there is with respect to the development of a 

 supercomputer of a specified speed. 



Structure of the Question 



In principle it would be logical first to examine the technical 

 program substance for cooperative opportunities, then to examine the 



