Project position
A levitated-dipole prototype has been built.
FRONTIER ENERGY · FULL DEEP TRACKER
OpenStar Technologies
Levitated-dipole fusion research, technical milestones and commercial distance.
RESEARCH PROTOTYPEWellingtonCONTINUOUSLY MONITOREDUpdated September 2026
STATUSRESEARCH PROTOTYPE
KEY SIGNALFirst plasma achieved
LOCATIONWellington
PUBLIC EVIDENCETracked
WHY IT MATTERS
Strategic significance
OpenStar tests whether New Zealand can retain deep-tech talent, patient capital and specialist engineering around globally significant fusion intellectual property.
CURRENT ASSESSMENT
First plasma is a real milestone; it is not energy breakeven or power generation.
The case should be judged through plasma performance, device progression, scientific review, capital needs and a credible path from experiments to energy systems.
EVIDENCE GATES
What is confirmed—and what remains open
Material milestone
First plasma has been reported.
Commercial proof
Commercial electricity remains a long-term objective.
KEY FIGURE RECONCILIATION
Do not treat unlike numbers as equivalent
The public commitment or stated project scope.
Physical, technical or operating evidence that the commitment is being executed.
Economic and national outcomes require separate evidence.
DELIVERY & OPERATING STACK
The layers behind the headline
Project propositionDefinedLevitated-dipole fusion research, technical milestones and commercial distance.
DeliveryUnder reviewMilestones are updated only when a credible source changes the case.
Commercial adoptionEvidence requiredAnnouncements, pilots, contracts and operating use are treated as different stages.
New Zealand valueContinuously assessedLocal jobs, capability, infrastructure, resilience and export value are tracked separately.
VERIFIED TIMELINE
Milestones and status changes
- PrototypeInitial device developed.
- First plasmaRecognised technical milestone reported.
STAKEHOLDER MAP
Who shapes the outcome
- OpenStar
- Scientists and engineers
- Investors
- Research partners
- Future energy stakeholders
DEPENDENCIES
What must align
- Experimental performance
- Specialist talent
- Patient capital
- New devices
- Scientific collaboration
RISKS & OPEN QUESTIONS
What is unresolved
- Long development horizon
- Technical uncertainty
- Milestone overstatement
- Talent and capital retention
NEXT SIGNALS
What Digital.nz will watch
- Plasma performance
- Next device
- Independent evidence
- Capital
- Path to energy gain
CORE EVIDENCE REGISTER