Antares Achieves Initial Criticality of a Privately Developed Advanced Reactor Under DOE Pilot Program
Landmark DOE--INL--Antares collaboration ushers in new era for American Nuclear power
Antares today announced that its Mark-0 microreactor achieved initial criticality at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) under U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) authorization — making Antares the first private company to bring an advanced reactor to criticality under the DOE Reactor Pilot Program. The demonstration was conducted in partnership with DOE, INL, and BWX Technologies, Inc. (BWXT), with integration and observation support from the U.S. Army.
“Today’s achievement is a historic moment for American nuclear energy,” said U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright. “By bringing the first American non-light water privately developed reactor to criticality in more than four decades, Antares has shown what is possible when American innovation is unleashed. The Trump administration is proud to support the rebirth of America’s nuclear industry and ensuring Americans have access to affordable, reliable and secure energy for generations to come.”
The demonstration meets an ambitious objective set by the President and DOE to reform how the federal government tests advanced reactors, and it establishes a replicable licensing pathway that DOE and industry can use to accelerate future reactor demonstrations on commercial timelines.
