American Nuclear Society congratulates Antares Nuclear for achieving criticality

June 4, 2026, 5:38PMPress Releases

Washington, D.C. — Mark Peters, President of the American Nuclear Society (ANS), issued the following statement:

"Congratulations to the Antares Nuclear team on bringing their sodium heat-pipe-cooled Mark-0 microreactor to criticality at Idaho National Laboratory today. In the weeks ahead, other demonstration projects in the Reactor Pilot Program are poised to follow suit in reaching the point at which a reactor sustains its own nuclear chain reaction. Criticality is a starting line, not a finish line. The work ahead is scaling up, both the reactors themselves and the professors, students, and skilled workers we need to build and operate the next generation of reactors. The American Nuclear Society is committed to helping build both."

About the American Nuclear Society (ANS):

Established in 1954, the American Nuclear Society (ANS) is an international professional organization of engineers, scientists, technologists, teachers, and healthcare providers devoted to the peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology. Its more than 12,000 members represent government, academia, research laboratories, medical facilities, and private industry. ANS's mission is to advance, foster, and spur the development and application of nuclear science, engineering, and technology for the benefit of humanity.

Contact: media@ans.org


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