I refute some very optimistic claims about fusion power and discuss some of the challenges in making this long-sought after technology a reality. Contents: 00:00 - Introduction 00:37 - Logistics 01:08 - Physics challenges 10:48 - Neutrons 14:18 - Good news 15:25 - Wrap-up References [1] https://www.powermag.com/fusion-energy-is-coming-and-maybe-sooner-than-you-think/ [2] https://ccfe.ukaea.uk/research/step/ [3] https://www.tokamakenergy.co.uk/ Version from 21 April 2021 at: [4] https://web.archive.org/web/20210421143503/https://www.tokamakenergy.co.uk/ [5] https://techcrunch.com/2021/04/08/claiming-a-landmark-in-fusion-energy-tae-technologies-sees-commercialization-by-2030 [6] https://firstlightfusion.com/media-archive/first-light-fusion-welcomes-government-investment-step/ [7] https://www.universetoday.com/115411/fusion-energy-always-50-years-away-now-just-5-according-to-lockheed-martin/ [8] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlYClniDFkM [9] Frankfurt Airport Timelapse by TheBlueMaxxx https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Timelapse_Frankfurt_Airport.webm [10] Welcome to Planet ITER: a technical tour of the worksite by iterorganization https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvsj0nqHwic [11] Periodic Table by László Németh https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Periodic_table_simple_en.svg [12] Sun SparcStation 10 with 20" CRT by Thomas Kaiser https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sun_SparcStation_10_with_CRT.jpg [13] Устройство осциллографической ЭЛТ by Д.Ильин https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Устройство_осциллографической_ЭЛТ.svg [14] Taylor Wilson’s Nuke Site https://www.sciradioactive.com/fusiongallery [15] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taylor_Wilson [16] https://science.nasa.gov/ems/13_radiationbudget [17] Red Apple by Abhijit Tembhekar https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Red_Apple.jpg [18] ITER Cryopump https://www.iter.org/newsline/-/2721 [19] https://tae.com/2020/01/06/the-future-looks-bright/ [20] https://www.tokamakenergy.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Tokamak-Energy-Leaflet.pdf [21] J. Jacquinot and the JET team “Deuterium-tritium operation in magnetic confinement experiments: results and underlying physics”, Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion 41, A13 (1999). [22] https://lasers.llnl.gov/news/nif-experiment-puts-researchers-threshold-fusion-ignition [23] https://lasers.llnl.gov/about/faqs [24] J. E. Menard et al. “Fusion nuclear science facilities and pilot plants based on the spherical tokamak”, Nuclear Fusion 56, 106023 (2016). [25] 2016 NSTX-U is operational by PPPL Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory https://www.flickr.com/photos/pppl/25448143876/in/album-72157651983615272/ [26] Commonwealth Fusion Systems website https://cfs.energy/technology