I think the situation is broadly analogous to advanced nuclear reactors. Both have major strategic military, foreign policy and economic applications.
With high temperature reactors you can efficiently synthesize liquid fuels. Energy security is a major strategic goal of US foreign policy.
The US developed nuclear powered airplanes to a high level. Imagine strategic bombers that could fly continuously for weeks striking targets anywhere on earth without refueling or needing nearby airstrips.
Supersonic nuclear ramjets like Project Pluto were feasible as well.
Yet we considered the technology too dangerous, so we just stopped. And the Soviets also stopped. Humans are more corrigible than you might think.
I think the situation is broadly analogous to advanced nuclear reactors. Both have major strategic military, foreign policy and economic applications.
With high temperature reactors you can efficiently synthesize liquid fuels. Energy security is a major strategic goal of US foreign policy.
The US developed nuclear powered airplanes to a high level. Imagine strategic bombers that could fly continuously for weeks striking targets anywhere on earth without refueling or needing nearby airstrips.
Supersonic nuclear ramjets like Project Pluto were feasible as well.
Yet we considered the technology too dangerous, so we just stopped. And the Soviets also stopped. Humans are more corrigible than you might think.