Nuclear fusion

Modern nuclear power generates energy by splitting apart large atoms, releasing some of the binding energy. This is called nuclear fission.

However, stars generate energy by joining small atoms into larger ones. This is called fusion. Fusion power plants have not been built on Earth yet. But if such a power source is created, it might be a good source of power on Mars.

Currently several countries and private firms are working to build a profitable fusion reactor.

Advantages on Mars

• Fusion may use Deuterium, an Isotope of hydrogen with one proton and one neutron. Deuterium is rare, and expensive to concentrate. However, Deuterium on Mars is 5 times more common than on Earth, so this concentration step would be 5 times cheaper. (In fact, deuterium is so expensive, it might be worth exporting concentrated deuterium to Earth.)
• If fission fuel happens to be rare on mars, the relative abundance of fusion fuel might make it more favorable. This is for the very long term, however.
• If fusion powered ships are created, Mars will be the best place to refuel in the inner solar system. (Deuterium is common on Mars, and Mars' low gravity makes it easy to ship Deuterium fuel off world to fusion powered craft. There is no other place in the inner solar system where Deuterium can be supplied so cheaply.)
• Mars lacks fossil fuels, and Solar power is 43% less powerful than on Earth (since Mars is farther from the Sun), so there are limited forms of high density power generation. This makes fusion power especially attractive to Mars settlements.
• Fusion powered ship should be faster than chemical ones, making the transit to Mars faster and easier. See Fusion Propulsion for more information.