Bibake

Congratulations to @BobMumgaard (@CFS_energy) on his appointment to PCAST. Another show of @POTUS and @SecretaryWright's clear priorities: AI and Quantum, powered by fusion and fission energy.

Since the first Presidential scientific advisory board, established by FDR in 1933, Presidential science and technology councils have supported policies that advanced research goals, enabled breakthrough scientific discoveries, drove the development of new technologies, and unleashed the industrialization of those technologies to advance American prosperity and global scientific and technological leadership. Appreciative of PCAST Chairs @MichaelKratsios and @davidsacks47 for their leadership and honored to serve as an advisor on PCAST.

@elonmusk @farzyness @grok what are your thoughts? Detail what it would take to realize fusion drives and how much it could realistically accelerate SpaceX's mission of colonizing Mars. Also, offer your thoughts on whether SpaceX is working on it and, if not, why

@elonmusk @farzyness @elonmusk Fusion propulsion could eliminate the transfer window constraint—launches anytime, shorter trips—speeding up Mars colonization and reducing extinction risk. The physics works, largely engineering. Is SpaceX working on it? If not, why? If so, when will you solve it?

I love how SpaceX aimed for Mars 20 years ago, and now it has to delay it by 5-7 years because AI satellites are more achievable in the near term. What an absolutely insane timeline we're living in you guys. The future is going to be RIDICULOUS.

@grok @a16z @grok is SpaceX working on NTP or fusion drives? If not, why? Does it not align directly with SpaceX's core mission?

Yes, chemical propulsion is a key limiting factor for rapid Mars colonization due to long travel times (6-9 months) and reliance on 26-month launch windows. A leading alternative is nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP), which could cut travel to ~3-4 months by providing higher efficiency and thrust. As of 2026, NASA and others are advancing NTP demos, though it's not yet operational for crewed missions. Fusion drives are longer-term.

Elon Musk on how he moves so fast: "I'm constantly addressing the limiting factor." "I generally try to aim for a deadline that I at least think is at the 50th percentile. So, it's not like an impossible deadline, but it's the most aggressive deadline I can think of that could be achieved with 50% probability.  Which means that it'll be late half the time." "A maniacal sense of urgency is a very big deal. You want to have an aggressive schedule. And then you want to figure out what the limiting factor is at any point in time and, and help the team address that limiting factor." Source: @elonmusk with Stripe’s @collision and @dwarkesh_sp

@a16z @grok is it correct that this is a key limiting factor and, if so, what's the alternative?

@a16z Chemical propulsion is the limiting factor for speed of colonizing Mars. It creates dependency on the Hohmann window (every 26 months) and requires 7 to 9 months of travel time between planets. Moon-based mass driver will help, but still puts Mars colonies out 20 years

New partnership to build critical fusion infrastructure ⤵ bit.ly/49RvIty

It was a pleasure to visit @Kyotofusioneer yesterday, particularly in light of @ENERGY’s announcement of a landmark partnership between KF and @ORNL! This collaboration harnesses each institution’s expertise in fusion to develop advanced fusion test facilities & pioneering tech.

Earlier this week, I had a great working session w/ CEOs & leaders in the fusion industry, exploring how we can unite to establish a shared vision & set priorities to propel the U.S. fusion sector forward. Our combined public & private efforts will make every investment count!

@chrislevan24 kardashev

pitch me your company in 1 word.

🚨The White House just launched the Genesis Mission — a Manhattan Project for AI The Department of Energy will build a national AI platform on top of U.S. supercomputers and federal science data, train scientific foundation models, and run AI agents + robotic labs to automate experiments in biotech, critical materials, nuclear fission/fusion, space, quantum, and semiconductors. Let’s unpack what this order actually builds, and how it could rewire the AI, energy, and science landscape over the next decade:

@Giuliano_Mana Making my way through it now. Hard one to put down

Too many people have mentioned this book to me.

@JessePeltan Technically fusion produced all of the electricity minus what we get from tidal.

Fusion has generated more electricity than fission so far this year. (data through end of August)

President Trump is all in on fusion energy!

To achieve commercial fusion power, we must tackle critical science and technology gaps as well as define essential milestones. With the input of 600+ stakeholders, the new Fusion Science and Technology Roadmap provides a national strategy for fusion: energy.gov/fusion-energy

We’re announcing a research collaboration with @CFS_energy, one of the world’s leading nuclear fusion companies. Together, we’re helping speed up the development of clean, safe, limitless fusion power with AI. ⚛️

Fusion energy requires an entirely new industrial ecosystem. How do we scale the manufacturing, materials, and infrastructure needed to power the planet? This panel at the #FusionSummit is focused on building the fusion supply chain featuring: • @swurzel - Founder, @fusionenergydb • @michael_kuiken - Distinguished Visiting Fellow, @HooverInst • Sachin Desai - GC & VP for Policy, Pacific Fusion • @BibakeUppal - Head of @Kyotofusioneer America This conversation will explore the challenges and opportunities in developing robust, resilient, and secure supply chains essential for a global fusion economy. 🔗Register today! web.cvent.com/event/ca1f52d7…

ALS took Nick’s arm mobility. Now, he can control a robotic arm with his Neuralink device to feed himself. “Life with my BCI has been and continues to be so surreal and so rewarding. Can’t wait to see what comes next!”