Capital space ships: Several large fusion reactors vs many smaller ones

A group of ships I've made are supposed to be modular in design with each modular hull segment being self sustainable both in terms of power needs and crew upkeep (oxygen, food, water, etc.)

I've been split between having the ships house massive reactors, with one or two (for redundancy) in each segment, or having that exact same space filled with hundreds or potentially thousands of smaller reactors.

Assuming the technology level is one that has been able to create fusion reactors that have far surpassed fission reactors, what are the benefits between having a smaller number of larger fusion reactors vs. larger numbers of smaller ones?

I'm looking for answers in terms of total power output per cubic meter of hull space used and manpower needed to maintain them.

Can fusion reactors be scaled up and down like this? Or are there other factors that make fusion reactors lean towards a specific size range?

posted over 7 years ago

Arvex‭

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