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2026 Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
August 24–27, 2026
Dallas, TX|Hilton Anatole
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Launching into tomorrow: NRIC guides new era of research and deployment
In June 2025, the Department of Energy announced the Reactor Pilot Program, an authorization pathway that allowed reactor developers to partner with the DOE to get first-of-a-kind (FOAK) reactors built and tested. Soon after, the DOE rolled out a complementary Fuel Line Pilot Program, which aimed to fast-track fuel projects. In all, 20 projects were accepted into the new programs.
Daniel L. P. Watson, Ronald Daryll E. Gatchalian, Hui-Yu Hsieh, Pramatha Bhat, Pavel V. Tsvetkov
Nuclear Technology | Volume 211 | Number 1 | April 2025 | Pages S49-S61
Research Article | doi.org/10.1080/00295450.2024.2423144
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
A fast spectrum surface fission power microreactor for lunar deployment is conceptualized and modeled utilizing the primary design drivers of the SpaceX Falcon Heavy mass constraints, a 10-year operation lifetime, high-assay low-enrichment uranium fuel enrichment, a 100-kW(electric) system power rating, and a Stirling conversion cycle. The reactor is demonstrated to remain subcritical during launch accidents resulting in oceanic submersion and throughout control system failures in the highest reactivity positions. Neutron shielding requirements for the high-leakage core were satisfied with 40 cm of natural enrichment LiH at 100% solid density, while photon shielding for the reactor at full power exceeded the in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration scope of work design requirement 18960 DR-3 of 5 rem·y−1 at rates of 30 rem·y−1 for a 1-km standoff. A conversion cycle was approximated using an experimental carbon-carbon thermal radiator coupled with published analytical and experimental results for free-piston Stirling systems.