India Helps Complete Key Magnet System for ITER

India has emerged as a major contributor to a key breakthrough in the ITER project — the world's most ambitious nuclear fusion initiative — by supplying the massive cryostat and related technologies. This project, aimed at mimicking the sun's energy production on Earth, has reached a landmark.

Shivam Last updated on May 3rd, 2025 03:41 pm

India has played a pivotal role in a significant scientific milestone — the completion of the main magnet system of ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor), the world’s largest nuclear fusion project. This international collaboration aims to harness the power of the sun to produce clean, carbon-free energy. India’s contributions include designing and manufacturing the cryostat chamber and developing critical cooling and heating infrastructure that forms the backbone of the fusion reactor.

Why in News?

Scientists working on ITER have successfully completed its Central Solenoid — the core magnet system — marking a major step towards initiating controlled nuclear fusion. India, one of the project’s founding members, has significantly contributed to its infrastructure, underlining the country’s growing global role in cutting-edge energy research.

About ITE

Full Form: International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor
Goal: To demonstrate the feasibility of fusion energy at an industrial scale
Members: 7 main members – India, China, USA, Russia, Japan, South Korea, and the European Union (host)
Location: Cadarache, southern France
Output Target: 500 MW of fusion power from 50 MW input (10x energy gain)

India’s Contributions

Cryostat Design & Manufacture

Size: 30 meters tall & wide
Function: Houses the Tokamak; maintains ultra-cold environment
Cryolines: Transports liquid helium to cool magnets to −269°C for superconductivity
In-wall Shielding & Cooling Systems: Provides protection and maintains structural stability
Heating Systems: Capable of raising plasma temperatures to over 150 million °C

Recent Milestone – Magnet System

Completion of the sixth module of the Central Solenoid (built in the US)
Central Solenoid: The electromagnetic “heart” that controls the superhot plasma
Strength: Enough magnetic force to lift an aircraft carrier

Global Collaboration Highlights

Construction Cost: EU bears 45%, others contribute ~9% each
Research Benefits: Equal access to research outcomes, data, and patents
Components: Sourced from 30+ countries, 100+ factories on 3 continents
2025 Achievement: First vacuum vessel module inserted ahead of schedule

Future Prospects

ITER will not produce electricity but act as a testbed
Objective: Achieve “burning plasma”, i.e., self-sustaining fusion
Data will guide commercial fusion reactors development
Private sector participation increasing through partnerships

Summary/Static	Details
Why in the news?	India Helps Complete Key Magnet System for ITER
Project Name	ITER – International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor
Objective	Demonstrate large-scale, carbon-free fusion power
India’s Key Contributions	Cryostat, cryolines, cooling systems, heating systems
Current Milestone	Completion of Central Solenoid Magnet System
Host Country	France (Cadarache)
Total Members	7 main members + over 30 countries contributing
Output Capacity (Target)	500 MW fusion energy from 50 MW input
Key Feature	Uses fusion, not fission; avoids long-term radioactive waste
Research Sharing	All members access patents and data equally
Global Significance	Clean, sustainable, and virtually limitless energy solution