Global Nuclear News archive — page 6
A Floating Nuclear Plant Buys Its Uranium: What That Purchase Really Covers
Bluecore Energy announced a 4.95% UF6 purchase on October 13 for its 10 MWe net BC-12 barge reactor concept, while the NRC–USCG MOU of June 22, 2026 sets out separate approvals for reactor and vessel.
Bangladesh's First Nuclear Reactor Reaches Criticality: What That Milestone Means
WNN reported on October 12, 2026 that Rooppur Unit 1, Bangladesh's first nuclear reactor, reached first criticality on October 11 after the local regulator allowed the start-up; power tests and grid connection come next.
A Nuclear Reactor on the Moon? What the New NASA–DOE Space Nuclear Agreement Settles, and What Is Still Open
NASA and DOE signed a space nuclear power and propulsion MOU on October 8, 2026, effective November 1; LR-1 targets 20 kWe and December 2030 launch readiness, with Phase 1 testing using an electric heater.
Drilling the Hole for Spent Fuel: Hyundai E&C Tests Deposition Hole Excavation in Bedrock
Hyundai E&C announced on 2 October that it completed a bedrock test of its 1.75 m by 5.7 m deposition hole excavation machine, part of KORAD's national spent fuel research, with AI ground analysis and LiDAR quality mapping.
75% of What? Reading the Urenco USA Enrichment Expansion
Urenco USA said on October 8 that 6 of 8 new cascades at its New Mexico enrichment facility have started production, adding more than 500,000 SWU per year toward an expansion target of about 700,000 SWU per year over 2025–2027.
Where Does a Nuclear License Begin? Environmental Review and the Line Around "Non-Nuclear" Facilities
The NRC opened comments until November 23, 2026 on a draft environmental impact statement for four AP1000 units at Fermi America's Project Matador, while Terrestrial Energy asked the NRC to confirm that building its IMSR heat and power facility falls outside nuclear construction under 10 CFR 50.10(a)(1).
AI That Finds Cracks in Nuclear Plants? What It Takes to Trust AI-Assisted Inspection
At Sweden's Ringhals plant, AI analysis developed by Trueflaw and EPRI was combined with a qualified ultrasonic inspection procedure in 2025, with the SQC granting qualification per the parties; data review workload fell by up to 95% at Unit 3 and about one week was saved at Unit 4.
Keeping a 30-Year-Old Reactor Running to 2040: The Sizewell B Long-Term Maintenance Contract
On October 7, 2026, Framatome and EDF UK announced a renewal of the Sizewell B long-term service agreement through 2040 for the UK's only PWR (1,198 MW, operating since 1995); continued-operation regulatory steps proceed separately.
Parts Before the Plant? Poland Starts Early Procurement of AP1000 Long-Lead Items
Poland's Ministry of Energy announced on October 8, 2026 that PEJ instructed Westinghouse to start early procurement of six key nuclear island long-lead items under the Engineering Development Agreement; manufacturing and site delivery follow under a later construction contract.
How to Lift One Tilted Fuel Assembly: The Palisades "DD41" Recovery and Its Safety Analysis
The NRC announced on October 6, 2026 that it is reviewing the Palisades DD41 recovery request, which sets a 133-hour air-exposure limit and calculates accident doses below the applicable acceptance criteria; NRC approval and completion of the work come next.