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Watch Germany Switch On Its Experimental Fusion Reactor LIVE

author

Robin Andrews

Science & Policy Writer

1067 Watch Germany Switch On Its Experimental Fusion Reactor LIVE
Wendelstein 7-X (W7X) reactor. IPP/Thorsten Bräuer

Germany is poised to make a major scientific breakthrough in the field of nuclear fusion. Its Wendelstein 7-X (W7X) experimental fusion reactor is about to be injected with hydrogen, where scientists will hope to turn it into a sustained, super-hot plasma. If successful, it will be a world first, and it is being streamed live from 1:45 p.m. GMT (8:45 a.m. EST).

Ignition is expected at 2:35 p.m. GMT (9:35 a.m. EST). We've provided the live stream below for you to watch.

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The fusion reactor, which aims to replicate the conditions deep inside our Sun, will be switched on by German chancellor Angela Merkel – who herself has a doctorate in physics. Although workable nuclear fusion is likely to be several decades away, this experiment represents a key stepping stone towards this goal. Controlled nuclear fusion – a clean, near-perpetual source of energy – would revolutionize the world. 


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spaceSpace and Physics
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  • nuclear fusion,

  • plasma,

  • hydrogen,

  • Germany,

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