For information on the programmatic and physics motivation for the NSTX Upgrades, please read:

• Sections 1.4-1.7 of the introductory chapter of the 5 year plan (July 2008)

• The overview presentation from the 5 year plan (July 2008)

• Or a more recent overview

The NSTX Upgrades were strongly supported by the NSTX 5-year plan review panel in August 2008 - see for example the comments highlighted in red in the review panel debrief presentation.

The mission need for the NSTX Upgrades was described in a presentation to DOE/OFES in December 2008, and The mission need document (CD-0) was approved by OFES in February 2009.

An overview of the physics design of the NSTX Upgrade as of November 2009 is provided here, and a CD-1 Lehman review science requirements presentation is provided here.