Helion Achieves 150 Million Degrees in Fusion Prototype

Helion’s Polaris reactor reaches 150 million °C plasma temperature. Three-quarters of target needed for commercial fusion plant. Uses deuterium-tritium fuel, first to do so. Heat output rises dramatically, matching predicted fusion power growth. Startup races to meet 2028 commercial deadline.

Article Summaries:

• Fusion startup Helion announced that its Polaris prototype reactor has reached 150 million °C, about 75 % of the temperature it estimates will be required for a commercial fusion plant. The milestone was achieved using a deuterium‑tritium fuel mix, making Helion the first company to operate a reactor with this fuel. Helion’s field‑reversed configuration design requires plasmas to be twice as hot as those in other fusion concepts. The company is racing to deliver electricity to Microsoft by 2028 from a larger Orion reactor, while raising capital from investors such as Sam Altman, SoftBank, and GV.

Sources:

• https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/13/fusion-startup-helion-hits-blistering-temps-as-it-races-toward-2028-deadline/#new_tab?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=fusion-startup-helion-hits-blistering-temps-as-it-races-toward-2028-deadline (Latest source article published: 2026-02-13 14:04 UTC)