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Conference Spotlight
2026 ANS Annual Conference
May 31–June 3, 2026
Denver, CO|Sheraton Denver
Latest Magazine Issues
Apr 2026
Jan 2026
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
May 2026
Nuclear Technology
March 2026
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
NRC introduces microreactor regulatory framework
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has released a new licensing framework for microreactors and similar reactor designs that may provide a more suitable pathway for applicants with simpler technologies.
The proposed rule—known as Part 57—is the latest to come out of the NRC’s rules review and overhaul stemming from the ADVANCE Act and 2025 nuclear-related executive orders. It is also the latest framework developed for advanced reactor designs shifting away from light water reactor technology, such as the Part 53 rule finalized in March.
Technical Session|Panel|Testing, Evaluation, and Production Supply Chain
Tuesday, April 28, 2026|10:10–11:30AM EDT|Room 305
The nuclear space renaissance is no longer a future prospect — it is happening now. From commercial radioisotope power systems to fission reactors on the lunar surface to Nuclear Electric Propulsion (NEP) demonstrations, the variety and scale of government and commercial interest has never been greater. A confluence of U.S. Presidential Executive Orders, agency initiatives, funding mechanisms, and private investment are all propelling this wave forward. But as the number, variety, and ambition of nuclear space systems accelerate, the frameworks, facilities, personnel, and institutional bandwidth required to accommodate them are being stress-tested in real time. This panel frames the conversation around a fundamental question: "Can institutions historically accustomed to supporting one nuclear space mission per decade rapidly adapt to enable a high cadence of missions as well as large-scale nuclear space deployment programs?" Panelists will candidly examine the barriers to scaling at speed — and debate the practical solutions needed to meet this moment.
A.C. Charania
Zeno Power
Ron Faibish
General Atomics
Harsh Desai
Justin Coleman
INL
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