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NIF Sustainment
Episode 18

NIF Sustainment

How do you maintain a facility built to achieve the impossible? In this episode, we explore the National Ignition Facility Sustainment Project—a mission to preserve and enhance one of the most advanced laser systems ever created. Discover how scientists at the National Ignition Facility keep this technological marvel running, overcoming challenges of aging systems to ensure it remains a cornerstone of innovation and a vital asset to the nation’s security.

Big Ideas Lab · Big Ideas Lab, Levi Hanusch, Daniel Brunelle, Jean Michel Di Nicola, Gordon Brunton, Jeff Horner, Larry Pelz, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Matthew Powell, LLNL, Lacey Peace

January 28, 202522m 12s

Show Notes

How do you maintain a facility built to achieve the impossible? In this episode, we explore the National Ignition Facility Sustainment Project—an undertaking to ensure that the world’s most energetic laser continues to deliver on its mission. Discover how scientists at the National Ignition Facility keep this technological marvel running, overcoming challenges of aging systems to ensure it remains a cornerstone of innovation and a vital asset to the nation’s security.

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Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series. 

Executive Produced by Lacey Peace and Levi Hanusch.

Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Daniel Brunelle. 

Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle. 

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell. 

Narrated by Matthew Powell. 

Video Production by Levi Hanusch. 

Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance): 

  • Jean Michel Di Nicola, Co-Program Director for Laser Science and Systems Engineering at NIF, LLNL
  • Gordon Brunton, National Ignition Facility Director, LLNL
  • Jeff Horner, Project Manager for the NIF Sustainment Project, LLNL
  • Larry Pelz, Deputy Group Leader for Laser Science Systems Engineering, LLNL

Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.


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Topics

scientific preservationdefense technologyaging infrastructurestate-of-the-art facilitieslaser amplifierslaserstechnological upgradesmaintaining innovation.advanced researchinnovation in sciencefusionlawrence livermore national laboratoryhigh-energy lasersllnlstrategic deterrenceniftechnologynational ignition facilityscientific discoverylaser maintenancecutting-edge technologyfusion ignitiontechinnovationadvanced laser systemslaserprecision engineeringtechnological innovationscience-based stewardshipgovernmentnational defensenif sustainment projectbreakthrough experimentsnational securitysecurityfusion energylaser technologylaser optics