goingcritical:natura-msr-1United States · Research reactor

Natura MSR-1

Developer: Natura Resources

Site: Science & Engineering Research Center, Abilene Christian University, Abilene, Texas

Status: Site preparation — target criticality 2026 (confidence: low) target

Summary:

University-sited molten salt research reactor; ACU received an NRC construction permit in Sept 2024, and the project added a DOE authorization pathway via the Reactor Pilot Program OTA (Dec 15, 2025)

Company stated (Dec 2025, on signing its DOE OTA) that it is advancing MSR-1 toward criticality in 2026; host facility complete and reactor procurement underway, but not achieved by the July 4, 2026 program deadline

Details

DesignMSR-1 — 1-MWt liquid-fueled molten salt research reactor (HALEU fuel, FLiBe coolant)
CapacityUndisclosed

Milestone history

  1. Announced August 12, 2025
  2. Construction start —
  3. Fuel load —
  4. First criticality target 2026

References

  1. ANS Nuclear Newswire, Natura executes an OTA with the DOE (Dec 2025)
  2. Natura Resources, DOE authorization for MSR-1 under new OTA (Dec 15, 2025)
  3. ANS Nuclear Newswire, Reactor Pilot Program deadline check-in (July 2, 2026)
  4. DOE, initial Reactor Pilot Program selections (Aug 12, 2025)