Fusion Startup Helion Achieves 150 Million Degree Plasma Breakthrough

Helion's unique reactor design and fuel choice put them in the lead of the race to commercialize fusion power by 2028.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 2:44pm

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A bold, abstract painting in earthy tones of green, blue, and brown, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise spirals that conceptually represent the complex scientific forces and concepts behind Helion's fusion reactor technology.Helion's innovative fusion reactor design pushes the boundaries of what's possible in the race to commercialize clean, limitless energy.Everett Today

Helion, a fusion startup based in Everett, Washington, has announced a major breakthrough with its Polaris prototype reactor reaching plasmas at an incredible 150 million degrees Celsius. This milestone puts Helion ahead in the race to commercialize fusion power, with the company aiming to supply electricity to Microsoft starting in 2028 from its larger Orion reactor. Helion's innovative approach, including using deuterium-tritium fuel and generating electricity directly from the fusion reactions, sets it apart from other fusion startups.

Why it matters

Fusion power holds immense promise as a clean, unlimited source of energy, and Helion's advancements could pave the way for its widespread adoption. The company's ambitious timeline and unique reactor design showcase its confidence in the technology, which could disrupt the energy industry if successful.

The details

Helion's Polaris prototype has achieved the record-breaking plasma temperature of 150 million degrees Celsius, a major step towards their goal of operating a commercial fusion power plant. The company's reactor design, which uses a field-reversed configuration, requires plasmas twice as hot as other fusion reactors to function optimally. Helion also uses a deuterium-tritium fuel mixture, setting it apart from competitors, and it generates electricity directly from the fusion reactions rather than extracting energy as heat.

  • Helion announced the 150 million degree plasma breakthrough in April 2026.
  • The company has a contract with Microsoft to supply electricity from its larger Orion reactor starting in 2028.

The players

Helion

A fusion startup based in Everett, Washington, that is leading the race to commercialize fusion power with its innovative reactor design and fuel choice.

David Kirtley

Helion's co-founder and CEO, who has expressed excitement about the company's breakthrough and its ambitious plans to supply electricity by 2028.

Microsoft

The tech giant that has a contract with Helion to receive electricity from the company's commercial fusion reactor starting in 2028.

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What they’re saying

“We're thrilled to have reached this stage in our journey.”

— David Kirtley, Co-founder and CEO, Helion

“It's been a pleasant surprise that a lot of that technology has been easier to do than maybe we expected.”

— David Kirtley, Co-founder and CEO, Helion

What’s next

Helion is currently constructing its larger commercial reactor, Orion, which will be used to fulfill the company's contract with Microsoft to supply electricity starting in 2028.

The takeaway

Helion's breakthrough in achieving 150 million degree plasmas in its Polaris prototype reactor, coupled with its unique reactor design and fuel choice, puts the company in a strong position to lead the race to commercialize fusion power. If successful, Helion's technology could revolutionize the energy industry and pave the way for a cleaner, more sustainable future.