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Comparisons & Context
Fusion vs Fission
Fusion and fission are often lumped together as 'nuclear'. On the things that matter, they could hardly be more different.
| Reaction | Fusion: merge light nuclei · Fission: split heavy nuclei |
|---|---|
| Chain reaction | Fusion: none · Fission: yes |
| Meltdown | Fusion: impossible · Fission: possible |
| Long-lived waste | Fusion: none · Fission: actinides |
| Bomb material | Fusion: none · Fission: plutonium pathway |
Fusion merges light nuclei and stops the instant conditions falter; fission sustains a chain reaction in heavy nuclei and must be actively held back. That single difference cascades into fusion's safety, waste and proliferation advantages.
What fission still wins on todayFission is a mature, deployed technology producing power now; fusion is not yet built. Kronos states this plainly.