2022---cracks-and-dismantling--the-construction-of-the-iter-fusion-reactor-will-take-a-long-time Official

: In addition to the cracks, welding non-conformities were found in the vacuum vessel sectors, requiring complex on-site machining and re-alignment. Updated Timeline & Costs

: In late 2022, engineers discovered stress corrosion cracks in the silver-plated cooling pipes of the vacuum vessel thermal shields. These cracks, some up to 2.2 mm deep, were caused by a combination of bending stress, welding, and chlorine residues. : In addition to the cracks, welding non-conformities

: The repair process is essentially a partial dismantling. Approximately 23 kilometers of piping must be ripped out and replaced. This requires pinpointing microscopic defects using advanced X-ray tomography developed with CERN. : The repair process is essentially a partial dismantling

The construction of the has faced significant technical setbacks and timeline shifts, primarily stemming from the discovery of cracks in key components in 2022. While the project is a monumental scientific collaboration, these issues have pushed the expected "first plasma" date into the next decade. Key Technical Challenges The construction of the has faced significant technical

As of , the project has been significantly delayed to ensure the machine is more "complete" before operation begins.