Junior is OpenStar Technologies' levitated-dipole experiment in New Zealand, using a floating HTS magnet to confine plasma; it achieved first plasmas in late 2024. A next prototype, Tahi, with a field up to 20 T, is backed by NZD 35 million from the New Zealand government.
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Current state
| Status | Operating |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Location | Wellington |
| Developer | OpenStar Technologies |
| Developer type | Private |
| Concept | Other |
| Purpose | Research |
| First plasma | 2024 |
| Public funding | NZD 35m Regional Infrastructure Fund commitment for Tahi; Ara Ake support |
Notes
concept "Other" = levitated dipole. 'Late 2024' first plasma per arXiv paper (month widely reported as November 2024, not verified). Total private funding not stated.
Timeline
- 2024 — OpenStar achieved first plasmas in the Junior levitated dipole experiment. (source)
- 2026-02 — OpenStar held its first public demonstration of a levitated magnet confining plasma; the NZ government committed NZD 35 million to its next prototype, Tahi. (source)
The timeline is append-only: corrections are added as new entries. Stated targets appear in the current-state table, never as milestones.
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Sources
- Design and initial results from the 'Junior' Levitated Dipole Experiment — arXiv / OpenStar (primary), checked 2026-10-11
- OpenStar demonstrates dipole fusion reactor concept — World Nuclear News, checked 2026-10-11