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Conference Spotlight
2026 ANS Annual Conference
May 31–June 3, 2026
Denver, CO|Sheraton Denver
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On moving fast and breaking things
Craig Piercycpiercy@ans.org
So much of what is happening in federal nuclear policy these days seems driven by a common approach popularized in the technology sector. Silicon Valley calls it “move fast and break things,” a phrase originally associated with Facebook’s early culture under Mark Zuckerberg. The idea emerged in the early 2000s as software companies discovered that rapid iteration, frequent experimentation, and a willingness to tolerate failure could dramatically accelerate innovation. This philosophy helped drive the growth of the social media, smartphones, cloud computing, and digital platforms that now underpin modern economic and social life.
Today, that mindset is also influencing federal nuclear policy. The Trump administration views accelerated nuclear deployment as part of a broader competition with China for technological and AI leadership. In that context, it seems willing to accept greater operational risk in pursuit of strategic advantage and long-term economic and security objectives.
Thursday, October 13, 2022|9:00–1:00AM EDT
Departs from hotel lobby
First Tour starts at 9am (several tours available but limited space)
Register for these when you register for the meeting. Cost: $15
Buses depart from the hotel lobby 30 minutes prior to the tour start time.
9:00am Tour: Bus Departs from Hotel 8:30am - Bus Returns to Hotel 10:00am
9:45am Tour: Bus Departs from Hotel9:15am - Bus Returns to Hotel 10:45am
10:30am Tour: Bus Departs from Hotel10:00am - Bus Returns to Hotel 11:30am
The PULSTAR Reactor is a 1-MW pool-type nuclear research reactor which is administered by the Nuclear Reactor Program and located in Burlington Laboratory on the N.C. State north campus. The NC State reactor is one of two PULSTAR reactors built, and the only one still in operation. The other reactor was a 2 MW reactor at the University of Buffalo, which went critical in 1964 and was decommissioned in 1994.
Photo ID’s are required to be presented for every person attending the tour. No cell phones, cameras, bags (e.g., backpacks, purses, etc.), or weapons are allowed in the reactor facility. Contact the Manager of Engineering and Operations for more information.
The history of the Nuclear Reactor Program at North Carolina State University goes back to 1950 and the construction of the R-1 reactor, the first academic research reactor in the world. Since then, an additional three reactors have been built at three different sites on the NC State campus; R-2 & R-3 in the original “south” Burlington Lab, R-4 in the Bureau of Mines building, and the 1-MW PULSTAR adjacent to “north” Burlington Lab.Read more about the history of NC State’s Nuclear Reactor Program. Also view NCSU Libraries’ photo collection of these and other historical photos of the reactor.
Photo ID is required to enter the facility.
