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Conference Spotlight
2026 Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
August 24–27, 2026
Dallas, TX|Hilton Anatole
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The human factor in licensing and operating the next generation of nuclear plants
As human factors specialists working at the intersection of human performance and nuclear operations, we are witnessing one of the nuclear sector’s most significant transitions in decades. The emergence of small modular reactors, microreactors, and other advanced designs is reshaping the industry’s landscape. Digital instrumentation and controls, passive safety systems, and increased automation are creating opportunities for greater safety margins and more flexible operation. These same features also fundamentally redefine what it means to “operate” a nuclear plant. Interactions among human roles, automation, and passive systems shape how people maintain awareness, exercise judgment, and intervene when necessary. These developments affect both operational realities and the regulatory foundations on which nuclear safety is built.
Technical Session|Technology Research and Development
Wednesday, April 29, 2026|8:00–9:20AM EDT|Room 302/303/304
Session Chair:
Taylor Hampson
Alternate Chair:
James Mastandrea
This session explores the design, performance modeling, and feasibility of advanced nuclear fission surface power systems, including Brayton cycle and molten salt reactor concepts, specifically tailored to provide reliable energy for future lunar missions.
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Feasibility Study on a Nuclear Reactor for Lunar Surface Application Using Natural Uranium Fuel
8:00–8:20AM EDT
Fumiya Sato (Tokyo City Univ.), Jun Nishiyama (Tokyo City Univ.)
Paper
Multiphysics Power Balance Modeling of a Fission Surface Power-Type Dual Brayton Gas Cooled Reactor System
8:20–8:40AM EDT
Anthony Y. Ghossein (Lockheed Martin Space), John P. Mulloy II (Lockheed Martin Space), Cole M. Mueller (Lockheed Martin Space), Joshua S. Bowman (Lockheed Martin Space), Alexis Maldonado (Lockheed Martin Space), Jesse D. Chuhta (Lockheed Martin Space), Kevin S. Bennion (Lockheed Martin Space), Chesney R. Boal (Lockheed Martin Space), Sean M. Smith (Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control), Mikaela E. Blood (Lockheed Martin Space), Ian G. Collins (Lockheed Martin Space), Jeffrey J. Breedlove (Creare LLC)
Burnable-Absorber-Loaded Micro Molten Salt & Metal Reactor (MSMR) for Lunar Base Power
8:40–9:00AM EDT
Jaehyun Ryu (KAIST), Yonghee Kim (KAIST)
Cycle Performance Analysis and Preliminary Design of a PCHE Recuperator for a 100-kWth Space He-Xe Brayton Cycle
9:00–9:20AM EDT
Seunghwan Oh (KAERI), Sung Nam Lee (KAERI), Nam-il Tak (KAERI), Chan Soo Kim (KAERI)
