A high-resolution U.S. satellite has revealed a colossal, star-shaped facility under construction near Mianyang in China’s Sichuan province. According to independent analysts and newly released commercial satellite imagery, the structure is believed to be China’s largest and most advanced laser fusion installation to date—sparking interest among scientists and concern among global security experts.
A “Star” on the Ground
The complex, visible via satellite since late 2024, consists of four symmetrical arms radiating into a central core—a configuration strikingly similar to designs used in high-energy laser fusion. Analysts, including Decker Eveleth, note that the facility surpasses the U.S. National Ignition Facility (NIF) in size by at least 50%, making it the largest of its kind in the world. Eveleth dubbed the site the Laser Fusion Major Device Laboratory, although Chinese authorities have not confirmed its name or purpose publicly.
The U.S. NIF, located in California and built with a budget exceeding $3.5 billion, made headlines in 2022 when it achieved the world’s first net energy gain from nuclear fusion. China’s new project could position Beijing to challenge or even surpass U.S. dominance in this strategic technology.
Clean Energy Ambitions—or Something Else?
Nuclear fusion has long been regarded as the “holy grail” of energy—promising almost limitless clean power with minimal radioactive waste. If China achieves a stable and scalable fusion process before Western powers, it could reshape the global energy market and reduce dependency on fossil fuels. A renewable energy expert interviewed by local media noted:
“China’s leap could unlock an era of nearly limitless, emission-free power.”
But fusion science has another side. The same inertial confinement fusion techniques used for clean energy are also employed to simulate thermonuclear explosions, enabling countries to develop and test nuclear weapons without actual detonation—thus avoiding direct violations of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).
Strategic Military Implications
William Alberque, director of arms control at the Stimson Center, warned that such facilities could allow “rapid, discreet refinement of warhead designs.” While China’s estimated nuclear stockpile remains relatively modest—approximately 400 warheads versus over 5,000 held by the U.S.—even incremental technological gains could shift global strategic balances.
The discovery also feeds into broader geopolitical friction between Washington and Beijing. Recent U.S. intelligence assessments cite concerns over China’s advances in dual-use technologies, including satellite “dogfighting” maneuvers and potential anti-satellite weapons. The laser fusion facility now joins semiconductors and space systems as another sensitive area where technological advantage could determine geopolitical leverage.
Official Silence and Global Reactions
As of June 3, 2025, Beijing has not issued a formal statement regarding the facility’s nature or intended use. The Chinese Academy of Engineering Physics, headquartered in Mianyang, is likely involved but has remained silent. Meanwhile, U.S. officials have not confirmed any changes in defense posture but have privately voiced concerns about the facility’s dual-use potential.
The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs has called for “transparency and confidence-building measures” around fusion and other emerging technologies with military crossover.
What Comes Next
The emergence of this facility highlights the growing entanglement between energy innovation and strategic competition. Whether China’s fusion push remains in the scientific realm—or evolves into a military game-changer—will likely depend on global diplomacy, satellite monitoring, and verification regimes.
