DARPA Awards Contract for Autonomous Nuclear Reactor Test
The agency aims to improve nuclear reactor control systems for remote operations by moving beyond passive technology.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Nuclear
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DARPA has awarded a contract to Space Nuclear Power Corporation to develop and test a Kilopower nuclear reactor. The research-stage project focuses on building autonomous control systems for use in extreme environments.
Why it matters
This initiative aims to create mobile, autonomous nuclear power sources for national security missions in remote locations. It builds upon previous technology demonstrations to enable long-term operation without human intervention.
The project shifts from the passive control approach demonstrated in the 2018 KRUSTY experiment to a system utilizing movable control rods. This hardware update is designed to regulate reactor operation autonomously.
The players
DARPA
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is the U.S. government entity responsible for developing emerging technologies for military use.
Space Nuclear Power Corporation
An aerospace firm specializing in the design and engineering of nuclear reactor systems for mission-critical applications.
Los Alamos National Laboratory
A premier research institution focused on national security, nuclear science, and advanced engineering applications.
The details
The development process encompasses design, procurement, integration, and ground testing phases. The team utilizes movable control rods, which are physical components that absorb neutrons to manage the fission reaction rate, to govern autonomous operations. Integration work for the reactor control system is currently centered at a facility in Medina, Ohio, in collaboration with the Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Timeline
2018: The KRUSTY experiment successfully demonstrated passive control nuclear reactor technology.
October 26, 2026: DARPA officially awarded the contract to Space Nuclear Power Corporation.
The Tech Race
This project directly advances the state of space-grade nuclear power by shifting away from the passive control benchmarks set by the 2018 KRUSTY experiment. It represents a transition toward active autonomous regulation required for high-stakes national security environments.
The project is in the design and testing phase, meaning there are no immediate applications for consumer or commercial use. The technology remains focused on long-term national security missions in remote environments.
The takeaway
DARPA is pivoting toward active, autonomous reactor control systems to ensure power reliability in extreme conditions. Observers should track subsequent progress reports on the integration testing at the Medina facility to verify if the new control rod architecture meets performance requirements.
Further reading
For broader trends in power systems, see Nuclear.
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