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We were, but Congress backed out in 1998. Since then it's undergone something of a redesign, due to some breakthroughs that have been found since then. It was originally going to use a purely (old-style) toroidal design, but now they're looking at newer techniques like the spherical torus. Also, we had a team at Princeton doing our own research which was yielding some terrific results. Now that they're looking into "burning plasma" which by its nature requires a much larger apparatus, it makes sense to join forces with other countries to spread around the cost.

the spherical torus

Got a schematic diagram or verbal description of this? I'm okay up to the doughnut shape concept and even the twisted doughnut--cruller.

I also seem to remember that Boeing is a contractor for ITER. Some structure in the containment wall/blanket, I think. I thought ITER got bogged down with the usual Euro infighting crapola - They have been "negotiating" for years. Do you think something will actually happen now? Also, wasn't the Euro site in Spain?

What I really like about all of this is that it shows a deep intellectual sophistication on the part of Bush and his people. I truly doubt that the Clintonistas, Gore or the Eco-nazis have ever heard of ITER. There was a rumor about 8 months ago that we were going back into the deal. I told my leftie techno, eco-geek buddies (I live in NYC, so you can imagine what I go through) that Bush was hip to fusion; of course they had never heard of ITER. BTW, are you a physicist?