Aalo Atomics’ Aalo-X Critical Test Reactor (CTR)—dubbed “Project First Light”—has reached criticality at Idaho National Laboratory (INL), marking the fourth Department of Energy (DOE)–authorized advanced reactor startup under the federal push to accelerate reactor testing and demonstration.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) said July 6 that Aalo’s test reactor, which DOE referred to as Aalo-X, “successfully completed a zero-power fueled criticality demonstration” at INL under DOE’s Reactor Pilot Program. Aalo told POWER the Critical Test Reactor reached criticality at 12:20 a.m. MT on July 4, allowing DOE to exceed the target in Executive Order 14301, which directed the department to approve at least three reactors to reach criticality by July 4, 2026.

Read more in Power Magazine here.

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