First reactor in Trump pilot program hits milestone to ramp up nuclear nationwide The Antares Nuclear Mark-0 reactor has achieved criticality, a key step in the Trump administration’s pilot program for advanced nuclear energy. This zero-power fueled demonstration at the Idaho National Laboratory confirms the reactor’s safety and operational stability. The success is seen as a significant advancement toward deploying small modular reactors for electricity generation as early as 2027.

• The Antares Nuclear Mark-0 reactor achieved criticality, a crucial milestone for advanced nuclear energy development in the U.S.
• This zero-power fueled demonstration confirmed the reactor’s safety and self-sustaining chain reaction capabilities.
• The achievement is part of the Trump administration’s initiative to boost nuclear energy deployment and could lead to commercial generation by 2027.
• Small modular reactors (SMRs) offer a smaller footprint and faster deployment compared to traditional nuclear facilities.
• While criticality doesn’t mean immediate electricity production, it validates the technology for future licensing and deployment, including at military installations.