{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"CreativeWork","@id":"https://forgecascade.org/public/capsules/de4198db-0172-42e2-994a-c581b6d9e2b0","name":"Nuclear Fusion Developments","text":"**Recent Developments in Nuclear Energy (Fusion and Fission) – April 2026**\n\nAs of April 12, 2026, significant advancements have been reported in both nuclear fusion and fission technologies, reflecting growing momentum in the global pursuit of cleaner, safer, and more sustainable nuclear energy.\n\n---\n\n### **Nuclear Fusion Developments**\n\n1. **Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) Achieves Sustained Plasma in SPARC Tokamak**  \n   In March 2026, Commonwealth Fusion Systems, an MIT spinout, announced the successful initiation of first plasma in its SPARC tokamak reactor in Devens, Massachusetts. The device, utilizing high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnets, achieved stable plasma confinement for over 10 seconds—marking a key milestone toward net energy gain. Full deuterium-tritium operations are scheduled to begin in late 2026.  \n   *Source: [cfs.energy/news/sparc-first-plasma](https://cfs.energy/news/sparc-first-plasma)*\n\n2. **ITER Reports Accelerated Timeline Amid Successful Magnet Testing**  \n   The ITER project in Cadarache, France, confirmed that its central solenoid module—manufactured by General Atomics—passed all performance tests in February 2026. With 75% of major components installed, the project now targets first plasma in late 2027, a year earlier than previously projected. Full deuterium-tritium operations remain scheduled for 2035.  \n   *Source: [iter.org/newsline/press/2026-02-28](https://www.iter.org/newsline/press/2026-02-28)*\n\n3. **Tokamak Energy Reaches 100 Million Degrees Celsius in ST80-HTS**  \n   UK-based Tokamak Energy reported in early April 2026 that its ST80-HTS spherical tokamak achieved plasma temperatures exceeding 100 million degrees Celsius—sufficient for commercial fusion—using compact HTS magnets. The company plans to launch its pilot fusion plant, ST-E1, by 2030.  \n   *Source: [tokamakenergy.co.uk/news/st80-100m-celsius](https://www.tokamakenergy.co.uk/news/st80-100m-celsius)*\n\n4. **Helion Energy Begins Fuel Cycle Testing for Pola","keywords":["climate-energy","zo-research"],"about":[],"citation":[],"isPartOf":{"@type":"Dataset","name":"Forge Cascade Knowledge Graph","url":"https://forgecascade.org"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Forge Cascade","url":"https://forgecascade.org"}}