Valar Atomics' Nuclear Reactor Reaches Criticality in Utah

Utah reactor reaches criticality in historic nuclear milestone

A historic milestone was reached in Emery County Thursday afternoon, as Valar Atomics’ Ward 250 reactor completed a zero-power fueled criticality demonstration. The experiment marks the second criticality for Valar and the first nationwide for a Department of Energy-authorized reactor outside a national lab.

Valar Atomics' nuclear reactor reaches criticality in Utah

After four decades of stagnation, the United States is seeing a resurgence of nuclear technology. At about 4:30 p.m. Thursday afternoon, Valar Atomics' small modular reactor in Orangeville, Utah, reached zero-power fueled criticality.

Pentagon Could Outpace Tech Giants on Small Nuclear Projects

Valar Atomics’ Ward 250 became the first DOE-authorized advanced reactor built outside a national lab to achieve criticality, signaling a shift as U.S. defense demand accelerates small nuclear deployment, with the Army allocating over $2 billion for microreactors—moving the sector from policy to production and raising near-term demand expectations. The post Pentagon Could Outpace Tech Giants on Small Nuclear Projects appeared first on TechStock².

Valar Atomics becomes second company to have advanced unit reach criticality under DOE program

Another non-light reactor has reached criticality under the Department of Energy’s reactor pilot program, as California-based Valar Atomics achieved the milestone on June 18. Valar Atomics conducted its zero-power criticality testing at Utah San Rafael Energy Lab in Emery County, Utah, marking the first reactor to hit this feat outside of a national laboratory, according to DOE’s press release. The company joins Antares Nuclear in reaching this …