ITER—An International Nuclear Fusion Research and Development Facility | Congress.gov | Library of Congress

CRS Products are created by Congressional Research Service | About CRS Products | Browse CRS Products Download PDF (1MB) | PDF Version History Summary ITER, previously referred to as the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, is a multibillion-dollar collaboration of the European Union (host), China, India, Japan, Russia, South Korea, and the United States. The key goal of the consortium is to operate ITER at or near the ignition point of burning plasma, a critical step toward self-sustaining nuclear fusion. ITER's planned capabilities also include extensive instrumentation for advancing the scientific understanding of plasmas (the fourth state of matter), as well as opportunities for testing specialized materials for use in fusion applications. ITER is primarily an exploratory science initiative and is not designed or intended to produce electricity. However, ITER is designed to help develop the technology for a future fusion demonstration power plant. ITER has experienced

CRS Products are created by Congressional Research Service | About CRS Products | Browse CRS Products Download PDF (1MB) | PDF Version History Summary ITER, previously referred to as the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, is a multibillion-dollar collaboration of the European Union (host), China, India, Japan, Russia, South Korea, and the United States. The key goal of the consortium is to operate ITER at or near the ignition point of burning plasma, a critical step toward self-sustaining nuclear fusion. ITER's planned capabilities also include extensive instrumentation for adva