ITER’s primary role in the fusion ecosystem is to provide foundational physics knowledge of a burning plasma that will set up other fusion approaches for success.
With ITER assembly continuing and early plant commissioning underway, information and know-how from ITER are already being shared with U.S. fusion companies and research entities.
ITER will begin research operations in 2034, nuclear operations in 2035, and full power deuterium-tritium operations demonstrating a self-sustaining fusion power source in 2039 and beyond. The operational flexibility of ITER paired with its extensive diagnostic measurement tools, data sets, and test facilities will aid industry’s next steps to practical fusion energy.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Fusion Science & Technology Roadmap (2025) emphasizes a multi-sector pathway to fusion energy, with government investment building technology infrastructure to reduce risk for industry, advance research, and grow the U.S. fusion ecosystem through public-private partnerships.
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