The achievement met President Trump’s timeline for nuclear energy development.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced that the third nuclear reactor under the Nuclear Energy Launch Pad initiative achieved criticality this week, fulfilling President Donald Trump’s goal, set in a 2025 executive order, to reach the milestone by July 4, 2026. Under the department’s Reactor Pilot Program, both Antares Nuclear’s Mark-0 and Valar Atomics’ Ward 250 reached criticality last month before Deployable Energy’s reactor, Unity, successfully completed a zero-power-fueled criticality demonstration at Idaho National Laboratory.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated, “Last week, I had the opportunity to see the Unity demonstration reactor firsthand and meet with the talented teams from Deployable Energy, INL and DOE whose work made this historic moment possible on the eve of our nation’s 250th anniversary.”
Secretary Wright continued, “We accomplished a significant milestone on a timeline many thought was unachievable. Advanced nuclear technologies like Unity will help power the next generation of American industry, strengthen our energy security, and ensure the United States remains the world’s nuclear innovation leader.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Secretary Wright and U.S. energy officials as they facilitate innovation in nuclear power.
- For President Trump he seek to improve the reliability and stability of the nation’s power grid.
Sources: Department of Energy, Washington Examiner
