Valar Atomics has achieved a major milestone in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Reactor Pilot Program by successfully reaching first criticality with its NOVA Core at the National Criticality Experiments Research Center (NCERC) in Nevada. This milestone marks the startup as the first in the program to achieve what’s known as zero‑power criticality, demonstrating a sustained nuclear chain reaction and validating core physics in preparation for future deployment.
Zero‑power or “cold” criticality doesn’t yet produce energy for power generation, but it confirms that the reactor design and fuel systems behave as expected, providing crucial data ahead of high‑temperature operations. The achievement is part of the DOE’s push to accelerate advanced nuclear technologies, with a goal of enabling at least three advanced reactors to reach criticality by July 4, 2026.
The accomplishment underscores growing momentum in U.S. advanced nuclear innovation, where startups like Valar are working closely with national laboratories and federal programs to push boundaries in cleaner, scalable energy solutions.
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Read the original press release from The Breakthrough Institute:
https://thebreakthrough.org/press/valar-atomics-achieves-first-criticality-in-doe-pilot-program