The Nuclear Energy Launch Pad, an initiative of the National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC) under the US Department of Energy, announced the selection of 12 recipients on August 24. This program, established earlier this year, aims to expedite the development and implementation of advanced nuclear technologies by private companies. It expands upon the Reactor Pilot Program and the Fuel Line Pilot Program, launched in June and August 2025, respectively, to accelerate advanced nuclear technology deployment through flexible technical and regulatory frameworks on both federal and non-federal lands.
The selected projects encompass reactor development and nuclear fuel cycle advancements, including fabrication, enrichment, and conversion technologies. Eight companies—Atlas Atomics, Forge Atomics, Hexium, Lightbridge, Nusano, Raven-Flint Nuclear, Scaled Atomics, and Sublime Atomics—are new to the Launch Pad program. Four other reactor developers—Antares Nuclear, Deployable Energy, Oklo, and Valar Atomics—had previously received support under the initiative and the Reactor Pilot Program, with their projects achieving zero-power fueled criticality earlier this summer.
Reactor Development Highlights
Antares Nuclear's Mark-0 reactor, a sodium heat pipe-cooled, TRISO-fueled microreactor, achieved zero-power fueled criticality at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) in June, meeting a July 4 deadline. The company is now developing an electricity-producing prototype and has been chosen by the US Air Force to supply microreactors to Joint Base San Antonio. Deployable Energy's Unity reactor, the first selection under the Launch Pad initiative in April, reached criticality in early July. The company has been selected for two upcoming demonstrations: a full-power demonstration at INL and a maritime demonstration with Hornbeck Offshore. Valar Atomics' 100-kWt Ward 250 helium-cooled, TRISO-fueled, high-temperature gas reactor also reached zero-power criticality in June and is proceeding with power ascension. Oklo's Groves Isotope Test Reactor achieved zero-power fueled criticality in August.
Other reactor developers receiving Launch Pad support include Atlas Atomics, which is developing advanced heavy-water reactor technology for baseload power, isotope production, and spent nuclear fuel recycling. Forge Atomics is developing a factory-built, 25-MWe pressurized water reactor using low-enriched uranium dioxide fuel. Scaled Atomics, formerly Avant Tech, is an Oak Ridge-based microreactor developer.
Fuel Cycle Advancements
Lightbridge, a Virginia-based advanced nuclear fuel technology company, stated that its selection provides an accelerated path for US Department of Energy authorization to design, build, and operate a dedicated facility at INL. This facility will manufacture Lead Test Assemblies of its proprietary metallic nuclear fuel for testing in US commercial power reactors, aiming to significantly shorten the timeline. Lightbridge is collaborating with an engineering, procurement, and construction firm for the Special High-assay low-enriched uranium Extrusion Demonstration facility, with construction planned to begin next year.
Raven-Flint Nuclear Corporation announced its selection under the Launch Pad, coinciding with the first successful production of uranium hexafluoride using a proprietary conversion process designed to eliminate elemental fluorine gas. The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has also docketed its license application for engineering-scale uranium operations at its radiochemistry laboratory. The company plans to construct Torch, a pilot conversion facility at the INL site, capable of converting 500 tonnes of uranium per year into uranium hexafluoride for the US Department of Energy and affiliated entities, and for domestic defense needs.