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| {{Status|Canon}} | | {{Ratings}} |
| A '''fusion reactor''' is a type of nuclear power plant that uses [[nuclear fusion]] for power generation.
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| ==Usage==
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| [[File:HTfS reactor.png|thumb|400px|A ground-site fusion reactor.]]
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| [[Human|Humanity's]] yearning to explore and colonize space required significant energy requirements to power the machinery to industrialize and traverse interstellar space. Fusion power provided the energies to power humanity into a spacefaring civilization. The [[United Nations Space Command]] utilizes nuclear fusion reactors to a great degree, from spacecraft to [[UNSC reactor|groundside bases]]. Fusion reactors powered by [[deuterium]] reactions are used as a power source on UNSC [[warship]]s. The reactor makes up the main component of a ship's primary propulsion system, known as a [[fusion drive]], which uses vectored drive exhaust of fusion byproducts to provide thrust.<ref>'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''', campaign level, ''[[The Maw]]''</ref><ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 275''</ref> Fusion power also provided the necessary energy to run FTL propulsion systems.
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| The UNSC has also mastered fusion reactor technology on a remarkably small scale, as demonstrated by the miniature fusion plants mounted on the [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor|MJOLNIR armor]].<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 45''</ref> Despite their size, these reactors are extremely efficient; the microfusion plant of the [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark IV|MJOLNIR Mark IV]] was capable of providing power for 15 years of continuous operation,<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 140''</ref> and could almost instantly recharge the depleted energy cells of a [[D77-TC Pelican]]. [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor (GEN2)|[GEN2] Mjolnir armor]] are equipped with a compact fusion reactor installed in the back of the armor's torso carapace.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/the-halo-bulletin-knowledge-drop '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Halo Bulletin 9.24.14'']</ref> The [[UNSC Army]] and [[UNSC Air Force|Air Force]] units utilize air-transportable fusion reactor [[generators]], like the [[MEP-PU-2550D/E Generator]], to meet their mobile power requirements.<ref name="Spartan Games">[http://www.spartangames.co.uk/make-your-halo-table-look-awesome '''Spartan Games''': ''Make your Halo table look awesome!'']</ref> Manufacture of these small-scale fusion reactors requires the use of [[xenotime]], a critical ore.{{Ref/Novel|Id=HO1|Oblv|Chapter=1}}
| | A deuterium fusion core is a species of nuclear fusion reactor used as a power source on [[UNSC Frigate|UNSC frigates]]. Though not explicitly stated, it may also be used to power other kinds of spacecraft, and could be related to the oft-seen [[fusion core]]. |
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| The [[Covenant]] employ another type of fusion power plant, known as the [[pinch fusion reactor]], to power their starships and other machines.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 305''</ref>
| | Based on the name, a deuterium fusion core probably combines [[deuterium]] nuclei (a light hydrogen isotope) into heavier elements, accompanied by a net gain of energy. Deuterium may be fused with itself, or with tritium, another hydrogen isotope. This latter reaction is the easiest to initiate. |
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| ==Trivia==
| | Since they have not been seen on screen, it is not possible to meaningfully speculate on the technique a deuterium core uses to induce fusion. However, a UNSC frigate is powered by just two of these devices, so it could be deduced that they are not easily portable. |
| Real-world fusion reactors currently require more power than they release, so are not yet an economical means of electricity generation. Promising approaches include doughnut-shaped [[wikipedia:Tokamak|tokamaks]], [[wikipedia:Polywell|polywells]] and laser-driven [[Wikipedia:Inertial confinement fusion|inertial confinement fusion]]. In 2014, Lockheed Martin introduced the [[Wikipedia:compact fusion reactor|Compact Fusion reactor]] which promises to be an economical means of electrical generation.
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| ==List of appearances==
| | Real-world fusion reactors currently require more power than they release, so are not yet an economical means of electricity generation. Promising approaches include donut-shaped [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokamak tokamaks], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polywell Polywells] and laser-driven [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inertial_confinement_fusion inertial confinement fusion] (ICF). |
| *''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'' {{1st}}
| | [[Category:Technology]] |
| *''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''
| | [[Category:UNSC]] |
| **''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
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| *''[[Halo: The Flood]]''
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| *''[[Halo: First Strike]]''
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| *''[[Halo 2]]'' {{Mo}}
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| *''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''
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| *''[[Halo Wars]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Reach]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Tales from Slipspace]]''
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| **''[[On the Brink]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Ground Command]]''
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| *''[[Halo Wars 2]]'' {{Mo}}
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| *''[[Halo: Renegades]]'' {{Mo}}
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| *''[[Halo: Oblivion]]'' {{Mo}}
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| *''[[Halo: Shadows of Reach]]''
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| ==Sources==
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| {{Ref/Sources}}
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| [[Category:Power generation]] | |
