Millions of data points, one successful lift

2026-08-19 - In Monfalcone, Italy, the teams are carrying out the final factory activities on vacuum vessel sector #2—the last of five sectors produced in Europe. When it arrives at ITER in October, all nine of the vacuum vessel sectors required to complete the torus will be on site. ©F4E

2026-08-11 - These cryolines produced in Europe will deliver liquid helium to the cryopumps as part of the front end cryopump distribution system. All cryolines for the torus, cryostat and neutral beam cryopumps are now onsite at ITER. ©Criotec

2026-08-06 - ITER's static magnetic field (SMF) laboratory has achieved ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, meaning qualification tests on fusion equipment carried out at the facility are now officially recognized by regulators, suppliers, and partners across the global fusion ecosystem. The laboratory offers a unique combination of static magnetic field strength and testing volume (1 cubic metre) to assess the impact of stray magnetic fields on fusion equipment.

2026-07-29 - ITER and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Plasma Physics (ASIPP), have launched a joint postdoctoral training program that will give early-career researchers the opportunity to conduct fusion research at both institutions under the supervision of experts from China and ITER. Outstanding doctoral graduates worldwide can apply at http://www.ipp.cas.cn/yjs/recurit.

2026-07-28 - The sixth sector module (of nine) has officially "landed" in the tokamak pit.

2026-07-28 - Six sector modules are now in the ITER tokamak pit. Sector module #1 was installed in an overnight operation from 27 to 28 July 2026.

2026-07-27 - For every sector module lift operation he has participated in, ITER Sector Module Assembly Project Leader Nicolas Sapet has a sticker on his helmet. He is about to add "SM1," for sector module #1 (27-28 July 2026).

2026-07-27 - It's nearly midnight, and the installation operation is progressing well. The module will stay suspended 500 millimetres above its final landing position for a number of hours, while all final metrology checks are completed.

2026-07-27 - The descent of sector module #1 is monitored from a port cell.

2026-07-27 - The sector module and its rigging weigh nearly 1,400 tonnes.

2026-07-27 - The bridge cranes have brought tokamak sector module #1 into the exact position it needs to be in to begin its descent.

2026-07-27 - Part of the tokamak assembly team receives a briefing during a shift change before sector module #1 is lowered into the tokamak pit. The lift operation at ITER on 27-28 July mobilized more than 100 people.

2026-07-27 - Tokamak sector module #1 is approaching the tokamak pit. It will be installed across from the other five modules and is coming over the wall "backwards" (with its outboard edge first).

2026-07-27 - Sector module #1 leaves the sector sub-assembly tool and pivots into the orientation required to pass over the wall separating the Assembly Hall from the tokamak pit. Suspended beneath the crane, the sector module and rigging weigh nearly 1,400 tonnes.