Helion has announced that its latest iteration Polaris has become the first privately developed fusion machine to achieve 2 critical benchmarks. Polaris successfully demonstrated measurable fusion using D-T fuel. They also managed to reach temperatures of up to 150 million degree Celsius, shattering their own previous record of 100 million degree Celsius.

The milestone matters for the nuclear fusion industry as it demonstrates commercial viability. 100 degree Celsius is considered the threshold for a commercially relevant fusion machine. By hitting 150 million degree Celsius, Helion is proving their hardware can handle the intense conditions for power generation.

This achievement has highlighted Helion’s speed of iteration of its products. It validates Helion’s “build and learn” philosophy. Polaris is their 7th prototype, showing a rapid scaling of tech compared to previous years long government projects.

Helion is currently the only corporation with regulatory approval to handle and use tritium for fusion demonstration.

While these tests utilizes D-T fuel, Helion’s aim is Deuterium-Helium-3 fusion. The fuel choice is strategic because it allows for direct energy recovery, potentially making the electricity more affordable.

Helion has already broken ground on Orion, their first commercial machine located in Malaga, Washington, which will provide the world’s first fusion power electricity to Microsoft.