re: Teen builds working nuclear fusion reactor in Memphis home

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Skunk Works recently filed a patent for a "miniature" nuclear fusion reactor. If they're successful this will be a major game changer for space travel.

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Why?

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Rocket propellants are finite and extremely heavy. Satellites, or any modern interplanetary craft, rely on the momentum from launch to reach their targets. When possible, they’ll use the gravity of large celestial objects as a slingshot of sorts to gain velocity; see New Horizons and Jupiter. If a small scale nuclear fusion reactor is produced, it’s very possible these could be installed on space vehicles. The initial launch would still utilize rocket technology. Once in space you could utilize the fusion reactor to produce thrust, increasing velocity dramatically.