28.06.2007 // RIA Novosti

Participation in the ITER project will strengthen the positions of the Russian science in the sphere of thermonuclear fusion

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation believes that Russia’s participation in the ITER project (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) will strengthen the positions of the Russian science in the sphere of thermonuclear fusion. The website of the Ministry’s Information and Press Department says that the project will allow Russia to strengthen the positions of its science and to train highly qualified specialists for further involvement in thermonuclear reactor and other scientific projects.

On Wednesday, June 27, State Duma ratified two agreements: on the establishment of ITER Organization and on the privileges and immunities of that organization under the ITER project.

The Ministry believes that the agreements constitute a necessary legislative basis for the implementation of the ITER project.

The objective of the project is to show that it is possible to use thermonuclear energy for peaceful purposes. This technology is a source of almost inexhaustible ecologically safe fuel resources, says the Ministry.

As was reported earlier, the ITER agreements were signed in Paris in Nov 2006 following talks among the EU, India, China, South Korea, Russia, the US and Japan.

ITER will be built in Cadarache (Southern France). The construction will last for 10 years. The reactor will serve for 20 years. The estimated cost of the project is $10bln, with the EU to pay 40% and the rest — 60% (10% each).

Unlike modern reactors, which are based on nuclear decay, ITER is based on thermonuclear fusion. In fact, it is an attempt to repeat – in laboratories and, later, in production — a process taking place on the Sun: nuclear fusion of hydrogen isotopes – deuterium and tritium – which produces neutral helium and a big amount of energy.