2026 is getting spicy.

NIF has repeatedly achieved ignition. In June 2026, the National Ignition Facility produced 7.9 MJ of fusion energy from 2.08 MJ delivered to the target, giving a target gain of about 3.8. This was only its 11th ignition shot.

SPARC is nearing completion. The goal is Q > 1. We should know whether this works out or not in a few years.

Helion is using a radically different D-T design that will capture energy via induction rather than making steam. Extremely ambitious!

And even if it doesn't ever work out I can certainly still enjoy it for the scholarly sake of simply enjoying STEM.