Lessons Learned From the Final Design Process of the ITER EC Upper Launcher Structural System

The final design process of the ITER EC upper launcher (UL) was carried out between 2011 and 2018 under a Grant agreement between the European Domestic Agency F4E and a consortium of European associations, namely KIT (D), SPC (CH), DIFFER (NL), IPP (D), CNR (I), and IPF (D). The final design is scheduled for 2019. The final design review (FDR) will be split into several review processes for dedicated sub-components. One of these sub-components is the structural system of the EC launcher. This article presents a brief overview on the final design status of the ITER EC UL structure of spring 2018, including the history of development since 2004. It highlights the most challenging design issues and debates demanding project management steps. The lesson learned in the technical development of the design will be discussed, in view of the design work for future fusion devices.