One-mile Underground Nuclear Reactor Gets Full Safety Blueprint for DOE Pilot Effort

Startup Deep Fission became the first in the US Department of Energy's pilot program to publish a full Nuclear Safety Design Agreement (NSDA) for the Gravity reactor, to be placed at a depth of about 1.6 km in Parsons, Kansas. The document, approved by DOE, sets design and safety analysis requirements but does not authorize operation.

• Gravity reactor will be placed in a well about 1 mile (1.6 km) deep
• Uses low-enriched uranium and pressurized water reactor technology
• DOE approved the NSDA, but this is only an initial review stage
• Commercial operation will require an NRC license