During the past year the NSO activity has focused on the design of a compact high field tokamak as a potential next step in the U.S. Magnetic Fusion program. Discussions held at Snowmass and at a series of talks throughout the community have helped to identify the mission and issues that a next step experiment should be designed to address. The present design concept is the Fusion Ignition Research Experiment (FIRE). Background material on the FIRE Physics Program and Engineering Design, burning plasma experiments and fusion can be found at the FIRE home page.
The goal of the recent FIRE Physics Workshop was to understand and assess physics issues driving the FIRE design, and to develop a near term plan to address these issues. A general layout of the FIRE schedule for the next two years is aimed at being ready to start Conceptual Design of a Next Step Option at the beginning of FY 2002. We anticipate the formation of a FIRE Program Advisory Committee with a first meeting in July 20- 21, 2000 to lead into finalization of the the FIRE Preconceptual Engineering Design and Cost estimate in late July. This to be followed by peer reviews of the physics, engineering and costing. Note that a FESAC review of Next Step Options is also being discussed for later this year.
If you have any questions or comments about the agenda and technical discussions, please send email to Richard Thome or Phil Heitzenroeder@pppl.gov. The presentations will be available later today, May 30, 2000, from this location.
A limited number of call in lines are available by which remote participants can participate directly. Please dial 609-243-2822, wait for the beep, then enter the four digit pass code. This takes about 20 seconds, you can then ask your question, and enter the discussion. Note, this is not an 800 number. If you want to use one of thecall-in lines send an email to pheitzenroeder@pppl.gov and ask for the pass code by early Wednesday morning.
If you want to send a CHIT (question or comment) to a particular speaker or individual, send an email to pheitzenroeder@pppl.gov. This email box will be in the meeting room.
The Engineering Meeting will be held at PPPL in the Engineering Design Conference Room in the New Engineering Wing. Please contact Jeanne Salerno at 609-243-3003 or email Jeanne Salerno if you have questions.
Travel information and maps to PPPL from the Newark or Philadelphia airports
FIRE home page