Unlocking maintenance-architecting STEP for maintenance and realizing remountable magnet joints.

The architecture of the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) has been developed to enable a hybrid maintenance approach using ports in the vacuum vessel for a limited list of tasks that must be performed shortly after shutdown, and larger openings to simplify and speed up major refits. Robotic handling systems in zero-human entry facilities will prevent workers from being exposed to the most hazardous environments. While the approach is largely grounded in existing technologies, the scale and environment of STEP will require significant technology development.