The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) is a joint project of the European Union, Japan, the Russian Federation and the United States with the objective to design, construct and operate a tokamak burning plasma experiment. The present phase of the project, the six year Engineering Design Activity (EDA), is nearing completion of the fourth year. The major features of ITER are now well defined. The development of detailed engineering designs for the components, plans for the machine assembly, the support facilities, the site requirements construction plans, schedule and costs and a safety assessment are well along and will be completed by the end of the Engineering Design Activity in July, 1998, when construction can begin if the ITER partners approve the construction phase.
