Antares' Mark 0 reactor reaches criticality, not power generation
The Idaho National Laboratory test validates a self-sustaining chain reaction while Antares still faces power conversion and licensing work.
By Ryan Merket · Published
Primary source: Ars Technica
Why it matters
Antares has crossed a physics threshold that investors and government customers can understand, but the harder proof is still ahead: generating power and building a licensable system.
Antares announced Thursday that its Mark 0 test reactor at Idaho National Laboratory reached criticality, according to Ars Technica, making the nuclear startup the first new small-reactor design to hit that threshold under Washington's accelerated nuclear push.…