Commission proposal on renewal of controlled thermonuclear fusion programme (1990-1994)
The Commission of the European Communities has made a proposal for a Council Decision adopting a specific research and technological development programme in the field of controlled thermonuclear fusion (1990 to 1994) (COM(90) 441). The long-term objective of the Community fusion programme, embracing all activities undertaken in the Member States in the field of controlled thermonuclear fusion by magnetic confinement, is "the joint creation of safe, environmentally sound prototype reactors" (Decision 90/221/Euratom, EEC). The first priority objective of the 1990-1994 programme is to provide the scientific and technological base and to prepare industry for the construction of a Next Step device. The Next Step should demonstrate the safe operation of a device that integrates important technologies of a fusion reactor, and should test components and subsystems essential for a fusion reactor.