They pretty much have to take this view, otherwise they should just shut down, shouldn't they.Though TAE and other companies think fusion will become viable in the next decade or so, Prager thinks 20 years is a more realistic timeline to produce net electricity from fusion. “I do have a fear that after five, 10 years when these companies don't deliver, it could smear the field a little bit,” said Prager.
From the point of view of humanity's future, it's good for TAE to stay in the race in case the lead horses do fall down. That doesn't mean the lead horses will.