ITER test facility earns international accreditation

2026-09-25 - Now that the central solenoid tower is complete, with six stacked modules, the next phase of work is assembling the central solenoid structure. In this photo, tie plates are being unwrapped.

2026-09-23 - The last "super HEL" (highly exceptional load) of the ITER procurement program is travelling now to the worksite: vacuum vessel sector #2. With the arrival of sector #2 in early October, all super HELs will be safely on site—a category that included all toroidal field coils, poloidal field coils manufactured offsite, and all nine vacuum vessel sectors. On 23 September, sector #2 was loaded on to a specialized barge to cross the inland sea of Berre.

2026-09-22 - The last vacuum vessel sector en route to ITER emerges from the hold of a cargo ship just as the sun is rising over the Port of Marseille Fos.

2026-09-18 - Vacuum vessel sector #3 is transferred to one of ITER's tall sub-assembly tools where it will become a "sector module" after thermal shielding and a pair of vertical magnet coils are attached.

2026-09-17 - For the sixth consecutive year, Safety Day at ITER promoted best practices and reinforced the project’s strong safety culture. This year’s event brought together 150 volunteers, 1,500 visitors, and 36 booths—including this one, where glasses simulating the effects of marijuana put volunteers’ coordination to the test.

2026-09-17 - ITER's photographer has captured the magnet cold test facility at a particular moment, with the lid slightly open. Inside, is the last 330-tonne toroidal field coil to be tested.

2026-09-16 - ITER takes part in the 70th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in September, where fusion energy is part of the debate. Deepti Choubey, head of ITER Communication, delivers a statement emphasizing how lessons learned during the buildup to ITER operation are already benefitting the fusion community.

2026-09-16 - Before it can be settled into tooling, vacuum vessel sector #3 must be raised from its horizontal travel position to vertical. That is the job of the ITER upending tools, one of which is seen here in action.

2026-09-16 - The ninth and final sector of the ITER vacuum vessel is leaving Italy. It is expected onsite at ITER in a few weeks.

2026-09-15 - The Tritium Plant Summit provides a forum for the international teams responsible for delivering the tritium plant to exchange progress updates and coordinate approaches as the project moves from design towards manufacturing, installation and commissioning. All systems have now reached final design status and the first equipment is expected in 2028.

2026-09-15 - The ITER Organization and the China Fusion Energy Co., Ltd. (CFEC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to further cooperation on fusion engineering and scientific research. It will provide a framework for deeper engagement in areas of mutual interest, including fusion engineering technologies, collaborative research, and international scientific exchange.

2026-09-14 - This summer, the four tritium breeding concepts that ITER will be testing in its first deuterium-tritium operation phase passed preliminary design reviews. This opens the door to the final engineering phase.

2026-09-12 - The visit of Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy, Onoda Kimi, reflects Japan’s longstanding commitment to the ITER project and to advancing fusion as a sustainable energy source for future generations. She was received onsite by ITER's Deputy Director-General for Science and Technology, Kamada Yutaka, and the Deputy Head of the ITER Construction Project, Omae Takayoshi.

2026-09-11 - Shan Zhongde, one of China’s most senior officials responsible for nuclear energy, space and defence-related industries, visits ITER on Friday 11 September and is welcomed by Chief Scientist Alain Bécoulet. Chairman Shan praised the project’s scientific and diplomatic significance, stating: “By sharing its experience and lessons learned, ITER can help advance fusion development around the world and bring us closer to realizing fusion energy.”