ANS is committed to advancing, fostering, and promoting the development and application of nuclear sciences and technologies to benefit society.
Explore the many uses for nuclear science and its impact on energy, the environment, healthcare, food, and more.
Explore membership for yourself or for your organization.
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|Policy, Regulations, Safety, and Security
Tuesday, April 28, 2026|1:00–2:00PM EDT|Room 306
Session Chair:
Frank Putzu
Alternate Chair:
Annette Parks
To access paper attachments, you must be logged in and registered for the meeting.
Register NowLog In
Thin Film Isotope Nuclear Engine Rocket (TFINER) Preliminary Launch Safety Analysis
1:00–1:06PM EDT
Brian Casel (The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.), James Bickford (The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.)
Paper
Anticipating Cyber Threats to Space Nuclear Systems: Engineering and Policy Options
1:06–1:12PM EDT
Kathleen A. Doty (PNNL), David A. Koch (PNNL), Kevin M. Eldrige (PNNL)
Presented by Catrina Melograna (PNNL)
Integrated Risk Framework for Space Nuclear Power: Lessons from Terrestrial Safety Analysis
1:12–1:18PM EDT
Mission Pull and Fission Surface Power
1:18–1:24PM EDT
Frank A. Putzu (PNNL)
Impact Tests for the Americium-Based Radioisotope Heater Unit (Am-RHU)
1:24–1:30PM EDT
Alessandra Barco (Univ. Leicester), Ramy Mesalam (Univ. Leicester), Tony Crawford (Univ. Leicester), Richard Ambrosi (Univ. Leicester), Rob Tute (Univ. Leicester), Kris Bell (Univ. Leicester), Emily Jane Watkinson (Univ. Leicester), Adam White (Univ. Leicester), Joanna Lucas (Univ. Leicester), Pierre Coquay (ESA), Christophe Fongarland (ESA)
Strategic Messaging’s Impact on the Public’s Perception of Space Nuclear–Critical Role of the Community to Support Mission Success for All
1:30–1:36PM EDT
Kristin Jansen (NASA Glenn Research Center), Kerri Beisser (Aerospace Corp.), Margaret Simon (Aerospace Corp.), David Lam (ARES Technical Services Corporation)
Enabling Mission Success: Effective Joint Information Center (JIC) Communication During the Mars 2020 Launch
1:36–1:42PM EDT
Vicky Ryan (JPL), Paul VanDamme (JPL), Douglas Isbell (NASA)
Closing the Gap: Policy Reforms Needed to Enable U.S. Space Nuclear Leadership
1:42–1:48PM EDT
John Jacobs (Zeno Power)
Payload Review and FAA Determination for Tritium Power Sources
1:48–1:54PM EDT
Peter Cabauy (City Labs), Kevin Makinson (Nuclear Consulting, LLC), Mark Stone (City Labs)
To join the conversation, you must be logged in and registered for the meeting.