A US fusion startup has taken an unusual step by adding a small nuclear fission reactor to its long-term fusion plans. Fusion promises abundant clean energy by combining light atomic nuclei, but building practical fusion power plants remains one of engineering's greatest challenges. Rather than waiting for fusion alone to become commercially ready, the company plans to use compact fission reactors to provide carbon-free electricity sooner while continuing to develop its fusion technology. This hybrid approach could help generate revenue and support future fusion research.
Fusion and fission both release energy from atomic nuclei, but they work in opposite ways. Fusion joins light atoms together under extremely high temperatures, while fission splits heavy atoms such as uranium. The planned microreactor is designed to operate underground for decades without refueling, using liquid sodium to carry heat away from the reactor. At the same time, the company continues developing its magnet-free fusion system, which heats plasma using powerful electric currents instead of large superconducting magnets.
The strategy highlights a growing shift in clean energy development: combining technologies instead of relying on a single solution. While fusion remains the ultimate goal, pairing it with proven fission technology could provide reliable low-carbon electricity sooner and help accelerate the journey toward commercial fusion power
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