Inside OpenStar’s ambitious attempt to build a nuclear fusion reactor in New Zealand [Video]

One of the most ambitious science projects ever attempted in New Zealand is underway as Kiwi scientists from Wellington-based OpenStar Technologies race to develop a nuclear fusion reactor, harnessing the power of our sun here on Earth.

Unlike traditional nuclear fission, which splits atoms apart, fusion combines them together. The process has multiple benefits: it does not produce the same hazardous waste, primarily uses a fuel derived from seawater, cannot cause a meltdown and does not facilitate the creation of nuclear weapons.

While there are plenty of upsides, they come with a catch.

“One of the reasons why it’s safe is related to the reason it’s so hard,” OpenStar CEO Ratu Mataira told Newshub. 

“We have to get this plasma insanely hot to do anything. It’s a very small amount of something at very high temperatures… basically if anything goes wrong, it just cools down immediately.”

Scientists have been attempting …