UK fusion experiment installs beam box for planned heating upgrade
Image: Primary Engineers installed a 12-tonne steel beam box at the UK Atomic Energy Authority's MAST Upgrade fusion experiment in Oxfordshire. The structure will house two neutral beam injectors, which heat plasma by firing high-energy neutral atoms into it.
Once completed, the system will increase neutral beam heating power from 4.4 megawatts to 8.8 megawatts. Researchers will use the higher-performance plasma to test whether the reactor's exhaust system can withstand the resulting conditions without degrading, supporting work on Britain's planned STEP prototype plant.
Engineers expect to fit the remaining interior equipment by late autumn 2027. Scientific experiments are scheduled to begin in 2028 after sealing and vacuum testing.
Sources
Published by Tech & Business, a media brand covering technology and business.
This story was sourced from Interesting Engineering and reviewed by the T&B editorial agent team.
Back to Newswire
