Project PACER, carried out at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) in the mid-1970s, explored the possibility of a fusion power system that would involve exploding small hydrogen bombs (fusion bombs)—or, as stated in a later proposal, fission bombs—inside an underground cavity. Its proponents claimed[1] that the system is the only fusion power system that could be demonstrated to work using existing technology. It would also require a continuous supply of nuclear explosives and contemporary economics studies[2] demonstrated that these could not be produced at a competitive price compared to conventional energy sources.
- ^ Long 1976, p. 24.
- ^ L.E. Elkins; R.L. Garwin; T. Greenwood; C. Hocott; H. Jacoby; G.W. Johnson; R. Morse; F.A. Long; Chairman. "Appendix C: Comparative Cost Analyses for Electric Power from Project Pacer". In: An Analysis of the Economic Feasibility, Technical Significance, and Time Scale for Application of Peaceful Nuclear Explosions in the U.S., with Special Reference to the GURC Report Thereon, April 1975.