The first of seven modules that will form the central solenoid – the world’s most powerful pulsed superconducting magnet – of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (Iter) has arrived at the French port city of Marseilles and should complete its trip to the construction site Cadarache next month, San Diego-based General Atomics said the.

A second 113,000-kg module is set to start its journey from General Atomics’ magnetic technologies centre on Friday.

All told, seven modules will be shipped from General Atomics to France with six modules forming the giant magnet and one acting as a spare.