General Atomics:
WHAT:
San Diego will once again have a rare opportunity to step inside one of the nation’s leading fusion research facilities. After drawing strong public interest in the spring, General Atomics is reopening the DIII-D National Fusion Facility for public tours this October in celebration of Nuclear Science Week.
DIII-D (pronounced “Dee-three-dee”) is a U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science user facility operated by General Atomics and the largest operating magnetic fusion research facility in the United States. Scientists from across the country and around the world come to DIII-D to study fusion, the same process that powers the sun and stars. Their goal is to help make fusion a practical source of abundant, sustainable energy that could one day power our daily lives.
During the tour, guests will go behind the scenes to meet the scientists and engineers working to solve one of the biggest energy challenges of our time. They will also get an up-close look at DIII-D’s tokamak, a powerful machine that uses magnets to control extremely hot matter called plasma. Put simply, scientists are using the tokamak to create a sun on Earth.
The experience gives visitors a chance to learn how fusion works and see the science that could transform how the world produces energy.
WHEN:
In-person tour options:
-
Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026
9–11:30 a.m. or 2–4:30 p.m. PDT - Space is limited.
WHERE:
DIII-D National Fusion Facility
3483 Dunhill St.
San Diego, CA 92121
Driving directions: https://d3dfusion.org/tours/
RSVP:
To secure an in-person tour reservation, register online HERE. Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged.
IMPORTANT:
Because DIII-D is a government facility, all in-person visitors must receive security clearance in advance. To allow adequate processing time, registration requests for Nuclear Science Week tours must be submitted by Oct.1, 2026. Due to processing times, non-US citizens are encouraged to sign up two months early.
About General Atomics
Since the dawn of the atomic age, General Atomics innovations have advanced the state of the art across the full spectrum of science and technology, from nuclear energy and defense to medicine and high-performance computing. Backed by a talented global team of scientists, engineers and professionals, GA’s unique experience and capabilities continue to deliver safe, sustainable, economical and innovative solutions to meet growing global demands.
About the DIII-D National Fusion Facility
DIII-D is the largest magnetic fusion research facility in the U.S. and has been the site of numerous pioneering contributions to the development of fusion energy science. As a fusion testbed enabling critical science and technology advances, DIII-D continues the drive toward practical fusion energy with innovative research conducted in collaboration by more than 800 scientists representing over 100 institutions worldwide. Research at DIII-D, a U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science User Facility, is open to all interested parties. For more information, visit www.d3dfusion.org.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260806223069/en/
Media Contact:
Andrew James
Communications Lead
General Atomics Energy Group
andrew.james@ga.com
