Overview
- The company reported achieving a sustained chain reaction on November 17 at the Nevada National Security Site using its fuel with Los Alamos structural components.
- The test is part of the DOE Reactor Pilot Program that treats early systems as research reactors and accelerates criticality goals set for July 4, 2026.
- Valar says it is the first venture-backed startup to sustain a controlled fission reaction, framing the result as the start of broader reactor trials.
- Days earlier, Valar closed a $130 million funding round led by Palmer Luckey and Palantir CTO Shyam Sankar to speed development.
- The cold-critical check is a prudent step given limited prior fuel testing, and commercial operation will still require further testing and NRC approval as the firm contests aspects of NRC oversight in court.