A third advanced nuclear reactor reached criticality—the stable state needed to produce constant energy—meeting a deadline set by President Trump, as part of his plan to modernize and expand America’s nuclear-energy capabilities.
In May of 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order authorizing the Department of Energy to accelerate the testing of new advanced nuclear reactors, with a deadline of 4 July 2026 for three new designs to reach criticality.
President Trump has made the expansion of nuclear energy one of his major energy-policy goals, with the aim of expanding US generation fourfold to 400 gigawatts by 2050.
Early last month, new reactors designed by Antares Nuclear and Valar Atomics reached criticality, before Deployable Energy’s Unity small gas-cooled nuclear battery also achieved the feat.
Unity is designed to provide “reliable, carbon-free power” in situations where conventional energy cannot be deployed. It is expected to be used in defense missions, to provide energy in remote areas, and to power industry and infrastructure.
Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said, “America’s nuclear renaissance is underway because of President Trump’s bold vision and ambitious goals. Yesterday, we accomplished a significant milestone on a timeline many thought was unachievable.”
“Advanced nuclear technologies like Unity will help power the next generation of American industry, strengthen our energy security, and ensure the United States remains the world’s nuclear innovation leader.”
Last month, the Department of Energy also announced that it will offer billions of dollars to help rebuild America’s nuclear supply chain.
A $17.5 billion loan program will come into effect to slash the cost of constructing nuclear reactors, and to speed up the deployment of 10 large new nuclear reactors by as much as three years.
Reforms will also be brought in to modernize licensing and safety practices for reactors.
One Response
“will help power the next generation of American industry”…so far all that means is power generation for data centers
This is not the future, sounds more like a miniaturization and rebranding of 1950’s technology. Radioactive nuclear waste is SOO much better than carbon emissions. Americans have been lied to for so long they can’t even recognize the truth anymore.