goingcritical:deployable-unityUnited States · Microreactor

Deployable Energy Unity

Developer: Deployable Energy

Site: National Reactor Innovation Center, Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho

Status: Critical since July 1, 2026 critical

Summary:

Third DOE-authorized criticality under EO 14301; selected under the Nuclear Energy Launch Pad (successor/expansion of the Reactor Pilot Program), not among the original 11 pilot projects; ~150 days from project kick-off to zero-power fueled criticality (DOE announcement implies late June 30)

Details

DesignUnity Nuclear Battery — helium-cooled, LEU UO2-fueled high-temperature gas microreactor (1 MWe class, containerized)
Capacity1 MW (thermal where reported)

Milestone history

  1. Announced April 27, 2026
  2. Construction start —
  3. Fuel load —
  4. First criticality July 1, 2026

References

  1. DOE, third advanced reactor criticality (announced July 1, 2026)
  2. ANS Nuclear Newswire, Deployable Energy achieves criticality at INL (July 1, 2026)
  3. World Nuclear News, criticality for third US reactor ahead of 4 July deadline
  4. POWER Magazine, first four Nuclear Energy Launch Pad selections (April 27, 2026)