# OpenStar Technologies

Canonical page: https://technooptimist.io/companies/openstar-technologies
Wellington, New Zealand startup founded in 2021 that floats a superconducting ring magnet inside a vacuum chamber to hold plasma, the levitated dipole approach, modelled on the magnetic fields around planets like Jupiter.

## In brief

- Prototype Junior levitated its half-tonne magnet while confining plasma above 1 million °C in February 2026.
- Up to NZ$35 million government loan (Feb 2026) for a facility to house its next device, Tahi.
- Raised about NZ$20 million privately by 2024; plans a neutron-source business before fusion power.

## Facts

- Founded: 2021
- Headquarters: NZ
- Status: private
- Staff: ~55
- Frontiers: [Energy](https://technooptimist.io/energy.md) (Alternative fusion)

## Programs

- [Junior levitated dipole](https://technooptimist.io/energy/junior-levitated-dipole.md) (Energy): Research; next: Facility for the next device, Tahi. Levitated its 0.5 t magnet while holding plasma (Feb 2026); next device Tahi planned.

## Technical approach

- **Levitated dipole: One magnet inside the plasma**: A single superconducting ring floats inside the chamber; plasma is trapped in its field, like charged particles around Jupiter.
- **Active levitation: Held up by control, not supports**: External electromagnets under real-time control keep the ring in place without touching it.

## Open problems

- **Far from fusion conditions** (open): Junior's plasma passed 1 million °C; fusion needs hundreds of millions.

## Latest updates

- **17 Feb 2026**: OpenStar's Junior confines plasma around a levitating half-tonne superconducting magnet. OpenStar floated the 0.5-tonne superconducting magnet of its Junior prototype in a 5 m vacuum chamber, with no mechanical support, while confining plasma heated above 1 million °C. ([our story](https://technooptimist.io/stories/openstar-s-junior-confines-plasma-around-a-levitating-half-tonne-f65b9eb7.md) · [original source](https://interestingengineering.com/energy/first-plasma-confinement-via-levitated-magnet))
- **10 Feb 2026**: New Zealand lends OpenStar up to NZ$35 million for a fusion research facility. The New Zealand government is lending OpenStar up to NZ$35 million from its Regional Infrastructure Fund to build a purpose-built facility for its next fusion machine. ([our story](https://technooptimist.io/stories/new-zealand-lends-openstar-up-to-nz-35-million-for-a-fusion-research-93c72df6.md) · [original source](https://www.growregions.govt.nz/about-us/news/regional-infrastructure-fund-backs-fusion-energy-facility))

## Partners, customers and investors

- New Zealand Government (investor): Up to NZ$35M Regional Infrastructure Fund loan for a new research facility (Feb 2026).

## People

- Ratu Mataira, Founder and CEO

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