Darby Dunn

Production @CFS_energy / former @SpaceX mother of Dragons

[Commonwealth Fusion Systems @CFS_energy]

SPARC is more than 60% complete. So far, most of that progress has taken place outside of the central hall that’s the future home of our star-of-the-show SPARC tokamak.

The SPARC facility consists of five interconnected buildings that house different SPARC subsystems. Case in point: the utility building here — roughly twice the size of the tokamak’s hall — houses equipment to pull the heat that fusion generates out of SPARC during operation.

#FusionEnergy

[Commonwealth Fusion Systems @CFS_energy]

The strongest magnets are bringing fusion closer to powering the globe. ⚡ At CFS, we're building cutting-edge magnets to power SPARC and scale #FusionEnergy. Go behind the scenes with @BobMumgaard @BrandonSorbom and @rocketjoy here: https://t.co/jmegZnmPOW

[Darby Dunn @RocketJoy]

My very technical opinion is that the rocket come down part is much less useful if the go uppey part doesn't work. But all part of the move fast and break things mentality that has made SpaceX so successful to date. Learn a lot and do better the next time, quickly!

[SpaceX @SpaceX]

Mechazilla has caught the Super Heavy booster!

[Darby Dunn @RocketJoy]

So. Much. Hardware! Big strides in our factory in the last 6 months and looking forward to SPARC hardware being delivered to the Tokamak Hall in the next few months!

[Commonwealth Fusion Systems @CFS_energy]

What’s CFS been up to in the last six months?

Picking a location for our first fusion power plant, ARC, and making magnets for our net fusion energy demonstration machine, SPARC.

Check the twice-yearly update video from CEO @Bobmumgaard for the details — and a sneak peek at some new fusion hardware on the way.

#FusionEnergy

[Commonwealth Fusion Systems @CFS_energy]

Fusion is coming... to Chesterfield County, Virginia.

In an enormous development for CFS and for the commercialization of fusion energy, we've committed to build the world's first grid-scale fusion power plant, ARC, in Virginia.

We'll independently finance, build, own, and operate this first-of-its-kind technology so we can start generating clean, carbon-free energy in the early 2030's. We'll also collaborate with @DominionEnergy Virginia to help smooth ARC's path to the grid, benefitting from their development and technical expertise while helping the utility learn about fusion.

Check out what this means for CFS here: https://t.co/FkqOXwuQ2P

#PowerMoves

[Darby Dunn @RocketJoy]

I always love Bob's talks! And some great shots of our factory in there too 😀

[Commonwealth Fusion Systems @CFS_energy]

Our CEO, Bob Mumgaard, had the opportunity this month to speak about fusion and our deeply human connection to it at @EmCollective Demo Day.

His talk is a great primer in fusion — to understand how it works, and why it’s the last energy source we’ll ever need.

#FusionEnergy #PowerMoves #ECDemoDay

[Darby Dunn @RocketJoy]

WHAT?!?!?!?! Absolutely epic. Still in awe of seeing this. Bodes well for the future of space travel!

[Christian Davenport @SpaceDavenport]

Insane. SpaceX caught a Starship

[Darby Dunn @RocketJoy]

Testing is underway for our first SPARC production magnet! Exciting to see how much our tech & in-house capabilities have advanced since our successful demo magnet test 3 years ago. With our prod. rates ramped up now, you'll see more & more of these tests in the months to come.

[Commonwealth Fusion Systems @CFS_energy]

No, we didn’t lure a UFO into CFS headquarters. This photo actually shows our first D-shaped toroidal field (TF) magnet in the making, nestled inside a cryostat that cools it down for testing.

And of course some of the hundreds of people it took to design, engineer, and build it all. Stay tuned for test results as we build our first fusion energy machine, SPARC.

[Darby Dunn @RocketJoy]

It's incredible to look at this group and see some who are still going strong at SpaceX. And to be inspired by others who have moved on to transform other industries in the same way, like Matt Soule at Parallel Systems or those of us now @CFS_energy working on commercial fusion.

[Darby Dunn @RocketJoy]

16 years ago @SpaceX successfully launched a rocket into orbit for the first time. This was a huge step forward for commercial space and has transformed the industry ever since. Here's a pic from the 10 year anniversary of those of us who were still at SpaceX since that launch.

[Bob Mumgaard @BobMumgaard]

Here’s what good #FusionEnergy manufacturing looks like: fast work with precision using capabilities built up from established industries.

We’re making progress every day building SPARC in our Devens, Mass. facility. The day the vacuum vessel arrives will be a big one.

[Darby Dunn @RocketJoy]

Wow I'm in awe of what @SpacX has accomplished today! Big milestone for commercial spaceflight and an engineering feat for the Dragon capsule and spacesuit teams! Congrats!

[Polaris @PolarisProgram]

Mission Commander @rookisaacman outside Dragon for the first commercial spacewalk

[Darby Dunn @RocketJoy]

This might be the coolest video ever of Dracos firing in space! These little thrusters will always have a special place in my heart as they were the first thing I worked on at SpaceX 16 years ago ❤️

[SpaceX @SpaceX]

Achievement unlocked - apogee 1,400.7 km

Forward bulkhead Draco firing during burn 🔥

[Commonwealth Fusion Systems @CFS_energy]

At @CFS_energy, superconductors are our jam. By carrying electrical current with no resistance whatsoever when you get these materials cold enough, superconductors let us build the staggeringly powerful magnets crucial to our fusion power effort. "Resistance is futile," we joke. 🧵 1/n

[Darby Dunn @RocketJoy]

Loved being able to share @CFS_energy's progress on magnet production at #ASC2024 today! Our magnets are getting bigger and we're getting closer to bringing clean fusion energy to the world.

[Dr. Jamal Olatunji @drjolatunji]

Unbelievable plenary from Darby Dunn @RocketJoy @CFS_energy about the scale up of fusion power plant magnets at the Applied Superconductivity Conference. 270 km of HTS wire in one coil 🤯

[Commonwealth Fusion Systems @CFS_energy]

Last chance to register for Career Day on July 13 from 2–5 pm at our campus in Devens, Massachusetts.

We’re hiring technicians for a variety of roles like welding, assembly, wiring, and testing for both 2nd & 3rd shifts. Register now: https://t.co/kNmUaAFgWp

[Commonwealth Fusion Systems @CFS_energy]

CEO @BobMumgaard and VP of Production Darby Dunn, highlight our fusion energy momentum over the past 6 months: faster magnet making, 800+ employees, SPARC construction, DOE funding.

#FusionEnergy #EnergyTransition
@RocketJoy

[Darby Dunn @RocketJoy]

I'm honored to be named to @FastCompany & @lesbiantech Queer 50 list representing top LGBTQ innovators in business & tech. Great to see fusion energy featured in a list of world-changing technology, industries, and social movements. #FCQueer50 https://t.co/9OmqUL13Ke

[Commonwealth Fusion Systems @CFS_energy]

@RocketJoy, our VP of Production, explains the three types of magnets we manufacture for our SPARC tokamak. Each is crucial to harness plasma and generate heat in our fusion energy device.

#FusionEnergy #Fusion #Superconductors

[Commonwealth Fusion Systems @CFS_energy]

Our team of experts is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of science and technology, solving complex challenges with brand new technology.

We build tough tech that will create impact on a global scale.

#FusionEnergy