Nuclear fusion is a promising source of massive and clean energy for humanity. The fusion fuels are abundantly available on the planet and the by-products of fusion reaction have low burden of waste for the future generations. ITER is an international project and is part of a series of experimental fusion reactors which are meant to investigate and demonstrate the feasibility of using nuclear fusion as a practical source of energy. During the Deuterium-Tritium fusion reactions, plasma facing components of the vacuum vessel will be damaged from the particle bombardment. These components will require several replacements during the lifecycle of the reactor. The presence of beta and gamma activated components within the vessel, together with hazardous dust, preclude the possibility of any human access. The maintenance operations of the reactor require the use of remotely operated robots.

3D model of ITER fusion reactor with a cross section of vacuum vessel (Image credit: VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland)