The fusion projects have been running for a long time with little success. Apollo was built on scaling tech that already worked (1940s rocketry could reach space although not achieve orbit)
If you consider exponential progress since 1970 or so to be "little success," you're right. Fusion has a very high threshold before it becomes useful, but we've come a long way, and we're not that far from the breakeven point now.
NASA is currently working with John Slough's company on a fusion rocket for interplanetary travel.
To address my claim you would need an explanation of why that trend will continue, including for the several new projects. Btw, Apollo used a novel alloy.
NASA is currently working with John Slough's company on a fusion rocket for interplanetary travel.
http://www.nasa.gov/directorates/spacetech/niac/2012_phaseII...
http://www.washington.edu/news/2013/04/04/rocket-powered-by-...