US Antares Selected for DOE Nuclear Energy Launch Pad Program

Antares has been selected for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Nuclear Energy Launch Pad program. Led by the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy and the National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC), the program aims to advance nuclear technologies from concept to commercial deployment.

This selection further expands Antares' business footprint in Texas. Previously, the company was selected to deliver a microreactor to Joint Base San Antonio under the U.S. Air Force's "Advanced Nuclear Power Facilities program."

Antares CEO and co-founder Jordan Bramble said the reactor pilot program has accelerated the company's growth and deepened its collaboration with the DOE and the National Reactor Innovation Center. He noted that the Nuclear Energy Launch Pad program is a natural extension of this partnership and the next step toward providing reliable power for critical missions.

The Nuclear Energy Launch Pad program offers developers a relatively streamlined demonstration pathway to accelerate the commercial deployment of advanced nuclear technologies. Leveraging DOE's authority and technical capabilities, the program provides a more flexible technical and regulatory framework for projects, advancing technologies from proof of concept to actual deployment.

Through the "Launch Pad USA" pathway, Antares can obtain DOE authorization to operate nuclear reactors and fuel cycle facilities outside national laboratories. The company also gains access to expert support from Idaho National Laboratory and other national laboratories, including nuclear technology assistance, support for obtaining DOE authorizations, flexible contracting arrangements, and the ability to allocate resources tailored to regional and project-specific needs.

Antares primarily develops compact fission reactors for critical ground and space missions, with design goals including factory-based production and rapid deployment. In June 2026, the company's Mark-0 reactor achieved criticality, becoming the first advanced reactor in the United States to reach criticality in more than 40 years and the first project under the DOE's reactor pilot program. The Nuclear Energy Launch Pad program will support the company's transition from the demonstration phase to the deployment phase.