1. Engineering Operations Outage Status: Post-run diagnostic calibrations have been completed and in-vessel work can start on PCHERS, FIDA, MPTS, and the new Bolometer. Surface analysis of lower divertor tiles is in progress and cleaning methods are being evaluated. Inspections of the HHFW antennas will determine if repairs are needed. The NBI group will replace all three ion sources and the TIV this outage. New bake-out system controls will be added to allow the three new NB sources to be conditioned during the vessel bake. Multi-stage firing controls will be added to the CHI Cap Bank.

2. Engineering Operations Outage Status: Diagnostic ground (Class 2) upgrades and add’l class 4 power circuits will be complete for this year’s run. In-vessel measurements are being made to install a liquid Lithium Divertor next year. Copper and insulation materials have been packaged and are ready to ship to ASIPP to fabricate the new OH coil. Studies to upgrade for sub-cooled operations continue.

3. Engineering Operations Outage Schedule: In-vessel construction activities will continue until mid-October before starting ~ 1 month of diagnostic calibrations for the upcoming run. The NB duct will be re-installed on November 20th for a late November pump-down and leak check. Twelve days of bake-out will be performed in early December. NB ion source conditioning will go on in parallel with the bake. Cooldown, leak checking, and add’l time for diagnostic calibrations will follow with plans to start the ISTP in the early part of January. Plasma operations is expected in the second half of January. An early start this year will give us the add’l time needed next year to install the new OH coil, and possibly to implement a liquid lithium divertor.